Accused
/əˈkjuːzd/
verbBeginnerVery CommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
To declare or charge that someone is guilty of a crime or fault.
/əˈkjuːzd/
verbneutralBeginner
General
charge someone with a crime or fault
He was accused of stealing the money.
More Examples
2
She accused him of not being honest.
How It's Used
Legal
"He was accused of murdering his wife."
General
"She accused him of lying."
From Old French acuser, from Latin accūsāre ‘bring a charge against’, from ad- ‘to’ + causa ‘case’.
Historically, the word 'accuse' was used in court cases and public trials to declare someone guilty of a crime.
Memory tip
Imagine someone pointing a finger and saying 'You are accused!'
Practice
akusedacusedaccussed
Usage
70%Spoken
30%Written