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Blame Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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blame

[bleษชm ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in a negative situation

Blame is the act of holding someone responsible for a fault or mistake. It often involves assigning guilt or censure.

Synonyms

culpability, fault, responsibility.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
blame

Blame is often used when someone is being accused of wrongdoing or when assigning responsibility for a negative outcome.

  • She tried to blame her coworker for the mistake.
  • It's easy to blame others when things go wrong.
responsibility

Responsibility is used to indicate a duty or obligation to deal with something or take care of someone. It can be positive or neutral.

  • You have a responsibility to take care of your own actions.
  • With great power comes great responsibility.
culpability

Culpability is typically used in more formal or legal contexts, referring to the degree of fault or responsibility for a wrongdoing or crime.

  • The court determined his level of culpability in the fraud case.
  • Her culpability in the accident was undeniable.
fault

Fault generally refers to a deficiency or a failure in responsibility. It's often used in everyday conversations to point out where something went wrong.

  • It was his fault that we missed the train.
  • There's no point in finding fault with every little thing.

Examples of usage

  • She always tries to shift the blame onto others.
  • The blame for the project's failure lies with the manager.
Context #2 | Verb

accusing someone of something

To blame someone is to say or think that they are responsible for something bad that has happened.

Synonyms

accuse, hold accountable, point the finger at.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
blame

Used when indicating responsibility for a fault or wrongdoing in a general sense, often without concrete proof.

  • She was quick to blame her brother for the broken vase.
  • Don't blame me if you miss the bus!
accuse

Used when formally charging someone with a wrongdoing or crime, implying strong belief or evidence.

  • He was accused of stealing money from the cash register.
  • They accused her of cheating on the exam.
hold accountable

Used when emphasizing the responsibility and consequences someone must face for their actions, often in formal or professional settings.

  • The company will hold the manager accountable for the project's failure.
  • It's important to hold people accountable for their promises.
point the finger at

Used in informal contexts to suggest blame, often when trying to identify who is at fault.

  • Everyone pointed the finger at John when the secret was revealed.
  • Stop pointing the finger at others and take responsibility for your actions.

Examples of usage

  • He blamed me for the accident.
  • Don't blame yourself for what happened.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'blame'

The word 'blame' originated in Middle English, derived from the Old French 'blasmer', which means 'to criticize'. Over time, the meaning shifted to include the idea of assigning responsibility for a fault or mistake.

See also: blamable, blamably, blamefully, blameless, blamelessly, blamelessness, blamer, blameworthily, blameworthy, blaming.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,215, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.