blame
blaym
Blame (noun) means Responsibility for something bad, or the act of holding someone responsible for it. Example: “She took the blame for the mistake even though it wasn't entirely her fault.”
noun
1
Responsibility for something bad, or the act of holding someone responsible for it.
"She took the blame for the mistake even though it wasn't entirely her fault."
"There's enough blame to go around on this project."
"Nobody wanted the blame when the group presentation went badly wrong."
verb
1
To hold someone or something responsible for a fault or problem.
"Don't blame me if the plan falls through — I warned you."
"The report blamed poor maintenance for the accident."
"It is unfair to blame the new driver for a delay he did not cause."
How to use blame
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSaying (or deciding) that someone or something is responsible for something bad.
Common mistake
"To blame" (as in "who is to blame") uses the infinitive, not "to be blamed for."
Common pairings
take the blame
place the blame on
blame someone for something
to blame
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- blames
- Past tense
- blamed
- Archaic forms
- blamest, blamedst, blameth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She took the _____ for the mistake even though it wasn't entirely her fault.
Etymology
From Old French blasmer, going back through Latin to Greek blasphēmeîn — the same root that gives us "blaspheme."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for blame
See all rhymes for blame →Frequently asked questions
What does “blame” mean?
The word “blame” means responsibility for something bad, or the act of holding someone responsible for it. In plain terms, saying (or deciding) that someone or something is responsible for something bad.
How do you pronounce “blame”?
“Blame” is pronounced blaym (/bleɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “blame” in a sentence?
Here is “blame” used in a sentence: “She took the blame for the mistake even though it wasn't entirely her fault.”
What is another word for “blame”?
Words with a similar meaning to “blame” include accuse, atwite, bumble, challenge, cop out and decry.
What is the opposite of “blame”?
The opposite of “blame” — its antonyms — are absolve, acquit, disculpate and forgive.
What part of speech is “blame”?
Depending on how it is used, “blame” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “blame” come from?
The word “blame” comes from Latin. From Old French blasmer, going back through Latin to Greek blasphēmeîn — the same root that gives us "blaspheme.".
Is “blame” a common word?
“Blame” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between blame and responsibility?
Responsibility is neutral — it simply means being the person accountable for something, good or bad. Blame is negative: it singles someone out as the cause of something that went wrong. You can take responsibility for a project's success, but you take the blame only when it fails.
What is the difference between blame and fault?
Fault is the flaw or error itself — the actual cause of a problem. Blame is the act of assigning that fault to a person. If a mistake is your fault, others may place the blame on you. One names the cause; the other points the finger.
Is blame a negative word?
Yes. Blame almost always carries a negative charge, since it involves holding someone answerable for something bad. Being blamed feels like an accusation. Its positive counterparts are credit and praise, which assign responsibility for good outcomes rather than failures or mistakes.
What is the opposite of blame?
The opposite is credit or praise — assigning responsibility for something good rather than something bad. Where blame points to fault and failure, credit points to achievement and success. To 'take the credit' is the mirror image of 'taking the blame.'
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