allegation
al-ih-GAY-shuhn
Allegation (noun) means a claim or accusation made without proof that it is true. Example: “The company denied the allegations of fraud.”
noun
1
A claim or accusation made without proof that it is true.
"The company denied the allegations of fraud."
"Police are investigating an allegation of theft against the employee."
How to use allegation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething someone claims happened, before it has been proven.
Common mistake
An allegation is unproven by definition — reporting "an alleged crime" as fact rather than a claim is a common journalistic error.
Common pairings
make an allegation
deny the allegations
allegations of corruption
unfounded allegation
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Word forms
- Plural
- allegations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company denied the _____ of fraud.
Etymology
From Latin allegare, "to bring forward as evidence" — the same root as "allege."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for allegation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for allegation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “allegation” mean?
The word “allegation” means a claim or accusation made without proof that it is true. In plain terms, something someone claims happened, before it has been proven.
How do you pronounce “allegation”?
“Allegation” is pronounced al-ih-GAY-shuhn (/ˌæl.ɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “allegation” in a sentence?
Here is “allegation” used in a sentence: “The company denied the allegations of fraud.”
What is another word for “allegation”?
Words with a similar meaning to “allegation” include accusation, assertion, censure, charge, crimination and impeachment.
What part of speech is “allegation”?
“Allegation” is a noun.
Where does the word “allegation” come from?
The word “allegation” comes from Latin. From Latin allegare, "to bring forward as evidence" — the same root as "allege.".
Is “allegation” a common word?
“Allegation” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
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