accusation

accusation — noun

1. a claim that a person did something bad, dishonest, or against the law, especial

1.nounC1
Definition

a claim that a person did something bad, dishonest, or against the law, especially when blame is being put on them.

Example

The newspaper printed an accusation that the mayor took bribes.

accusation that + clause

Maria denied the accusation in court and asked for the evidence.

deny an accusation in court

Common collocations
  • false accusation
  • serious accusation
  • accusation against somebody
  • accusation of theft
  • accusation that somebody lied
Synonyms
  • allegation

    more formal and often used when the truth has not yet been proved

  • charge

    stronger and more official, especially in legal settings

  • claim

    broader and more neutral; it does not always suggest blame

  • blame

    focuses on responsibility rather than on a stated claim

Grammar Patterns

an accusation that + clause

an accusation against + person

make an accusation

Usage Note

Often follows verbs like 'make', 'face', 'deny', and 'repeat'. The noun commonly takes 'against' before the person blamed or 'that' before the reported action.

Common Mistakes

She accused him an accusation.
She made an accusation against him.
use either the verb 'accuse' or the noun phrase 'make an accusation'; do not combine them.
He gave an accusation that his boss stole money.
He made an accusation that his boss stole money.
the usual verb with this noun is 'make', not 'give'.

Word family

  • accuse
    verbB2
  • accuser
    nounC2
  • accusatory
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Accusation' is the general word for saying that someone did something wrong. 'Allegation' is more formal and is often used when the truth has not yet been proved, especially in news reports or legal cases. 'Charge' is stronger and more official; in law, it can mean a formal statement made by the police or prosecutors. 'Blame' is broader and less exact: you can blame someone without making a direct accusation in words. Use 'accusation' for a clear claim aimed at a person, 'allegation' when proof is still uncertain, and 'charge' when the legal side matters. Compare: 'an accusation from a neighbor', 'serious allegations in the report', 'a criminal charge in court', and 'The coach took the blame for the loss.'

accusation ↗allegation ↗charge ↗blame ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • accusation of theft
  • accusation of fraud
  • accusation of abuse
  • accusation of murder

Adverbs

Phrases

  • make an accusation
  • deny an accusation
  • face an accusation
  • withdraw an accusation
  • answer an accusation

Prepositions

  • accusation against
  • accusation of
  • accusation that

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

English borrowed 'accusation' from Old French, which took it from Latin 'accusatio'. That Latin noun comes from 'accusare', meaning 'to call someone to account' or 'to charge them with a wrong'. The same root also gave English the verb 'accuse'. From early on, the word was connected with blame and formal claims of fault, which is why it still sounds natural in legal, political, and public contexts.