Blame

/bleɪm/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase2 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To consider someone or something responsible for a fault or wrong.

/bleɪm/

verbnegativeBeginner
General

To hold responsible for something bad.

He blamed his failure on bad luck.

💡 Simply: To say someone or something did something wrong.

More Examples

2

Don't blame me for your mistakes.

How It's Used

Everyday Conversation

"I blame the dog for chewing my shoes."

Legal

"The court blamed the driver for the accident."

2

Responsibility for fault or wrong; censure.

/bleɪm/

nounnegativeBeginner
General

Responsibility for something bad.

She took the blame for the mistake.

💡 Simply: The fault or responsibility for something bad.

More Examples

2

The blame was unfairly placed on him.

How It's Used

Everyday Conversation

"The blame for the project's failure rests with the management team."

Tip:Blame is what you take or give when something bad happens.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

put the blame on someone

To accuse someone of being responsible.

"They tried to put the blame on me."

From Old English *blāman, meaning 'to blemish, disgrace'. Related to the word 'blemish'.

Historically, 'blame' was often used in a more formal and legal context, signifying a judgment of guilt.

Memory tip

Think of a 'blemish' – blame is like assigning a blemish to someone's reputation.

Word Origin

Original meaning

"to blemish, disgrace"

take the blameput the blame onshoulder the blameescape blame

Common misspellings

blaimblaeme

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written