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Translate files Accused
/əˈkjuzd/
Meaning & Definition
noun
A person who is charged with a crime in a court of law.
The accused stood nervously in front of the judge.
A person who is blamed for something, typically a wrongdoing.
She was the accused in a high-profile theft case.
verb
Past tense of accuse; to charge someone with an offense or wrongdoing.
He accused her of stealing his money.
To assert that someone has committed a crime or done something wrong.
They accused the corporation of environmental violations.
Etymology
The word comes from the Latin 'accusatus' which means 'to blame or to charge'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
the accused
refers to a person who has been charged with a crime.
accused of a crime
means a person is formally charged with committing an illegal act.
innocent until proven guilty
refers to the legal principle that one is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
Related Words
accusation
A charge that someone has done something illegal or wrong.
defendant
An individual accused in a court of law.
prosecution
The act of conducting legal proceedings against someone.
Slang Meanings
In hot water
After being caught cheating, he found himself in hot water with his teachers.
On the carpet
She was called on the carpet for her actions at the party.