Culpable

/ˈkʌlpəbl/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Deserving blame or censure; guilty.

The jury found the defendant culpable of the charges brought against him.

Responsible for a fault or wrong; to be held accountable.

The manager was deemed culpable for the safety violations within the facility.

Having a degree of guilt or responsibility.

In this situation, we can all agree that he is culpable for the outcome.

Late Middle English: from Latin culpabilis, from culpare 'to blame'.

culpable homicide

The crime of causing the death of another person through negligence or wrongdoing.

culpable negligence

Failing to take proper care in doing something, resulting in harm to another.

culpability

The state of being culpable; blameworthiness.

culprit

A person who is responsible for a crime or wrongdoing.

Caught red-handed

He was caught red-handed with the stolen goods, making him culpable.

In the hot seat

After the scandal broke, he found himself in the hot seat, fully culpable.