Accusation

/əkjuˈzeɪʃən/

nounIntermediateVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

1

a formal charge or claim that someone has done something illegal or wrong

/əkjuˈzeɪʃən/

nounneutralIntermediate
General

The suspect faced several accusations of fraud.

💡 Simply: a serious claim of wrongdoing

More Examples

2

She raised serious accusations against her boss.

How It's Used

Legal

"The defendant denied the accusation of theft."

Media

"The newspaper published an accusation of corruption against the governor."

Late 14th century, from Old French accusacion, from Latin accusatio, accusare 'to accuse'.

Accusation has been used in legal and formal situations since the 14th century.

Memory tip

Imagine someone pointing an accusing finger while making a formal statement.

akussationacussationaccuzation

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written