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Charge: meaning, definitions and examples

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charge

 

[tʃɑːdʒ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

financial

An amount of money that is asked for goods or services provided.

Synonyms

cost, fee, price.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
charge

Used in the context of accusation, either in a legal setting or when someone is being accused of something.

  • The man was charged with theft.
  • They charged him with breaking the rules.
fee

Specifically applied to a sum paid for professional services or for the right to enter a place or receive a service. Commonly used in formal contexts involving membership or specialized services.

  • The lawyer's fee was quite expensive.
  • There is a fee to enter the museum.
cost

Refers to the amount of money needed to buy or do something. It can be used for both goods and services.

  • The cost of living in this city is very high.
  • What's the cost of this laptop?
price

Typically used to indicate the amount of money expected or required in payment for something. Primarily used when talking about goods and commodities in a commercial context.

  • The price of gasoline has gone up.
  • What's the price of this shirt?

Examples of usage

  • The charge for the repair was $100.
  • What is the charge for a single ticket?
Context #2 | Noun

legal

A formal accusation of a crime.

Synonyms

accusation, allegation, indictment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
charge

Another entry for 'charge' is unnecessary as it is already covered.
accusation

General term used when someone is claimed to have done something wrong or illegal, often without concrete evidence.

  • She denied the accusations against her
  • The accusations were damaging to his reputation
indictment

A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime, usually handed down by a grand jury.

  • The indictment was handed down last Thursday
  • He was indicted on charges of embezzlement
allegation

Typically used in legal or official contexts when someone is accused of wrongdoing, but the claim has not been proven.

  • The senators are facing serious allegations of corruption
  • Allegations of misconduct have surfaced

Examples of usage

  • He faced charges of theft and fraud.
  • The police brought charges against the suspect.
Context #3 | Verb

action

To demand payment.

Synonyms

bill, debit, invoice.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
charge

Use 'charge' when talking about a fee or price you have to pay for a service or good. Also used when you are formally accusing someone of a crime.

  • The hotel will charge you extra for room service.
  • He was charged with theft.
bill

Use 'bill' when referring to a statement of money owed for goods or services received. Also often used in the context of utility bills.

  • The restaurant gave us the bill after we finished eating.
  • I need to pay the electricity bill.
invoice

Use 'invoice' in business when sending a detailed list of goods or services provided with a statement of the sum due for these. Generally more formal than 'bill'.

  • We need to send an invoice to the client for the completed work.
  • The invoice detailed every item that was delivered.
debit

Use 'debit' in banking and finance to refer to a deduction of money from an account.

  • The bank debited the amount from my account.
  • All debits and credits are listed in your bank statement.

Examples of usage

  • The hotel will charge you for any damages.
  • They charged me $50 for shipping.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old French 'charger', which means 'to load or to burden'.
  • Originally used in the 13th century, the meaning has evolved to encompass finance, electricity, and responsibility.
  • In Latin, 'carricare' means 'to load', linking to the idea of loading with energy or responsibility.

Science

  • In physics, 'charge' refers to a property of matter related to electricity, resulting in attraction or repulsion.
  • Electrons carry a negative charge, while protons have a positive charge, which defines how they interact.
  • The concept of charge is foundational in understanding circuits and how electrical devices function.

Pop Culture

  • In superhero comics and movies, characters like Thor have the power to 'charge' objects with electricity.
  • The term is often used in video games to describe a character's ability to unleash a powerful attack.
  • Popular songs often use 'charge' metaphorically to describe taking on challenges or asserting oneself.

Finance

  • 'Charge' is commonly used in banking and finance to refer to fees added to accounts or bills.
  • In modern commerce, to 'charge' can mean to purchase with a credit card, delaying the payment to a later date.
  • Understanding charges and billing is critical for personal finance management, impacting budgeting.

Psychology

  • Emotionally, to 'charge' someone can mean to hold them accountable for their actions, emphasizing responsibility.
  • The feeling of being 'charged up' is often associated with motivation and excitement, enhancing performance.
  • In group dynamics, leaders often 'charge' their teams by inspiring energy and commitment to tasks.

Translations

Translations of the word "charge" in other languages:

🇵🇹 carga

🇮🇳 आरोप

🇩🇪 Ladung

🇮🇩 muatan

🇺🇦 заряд

🇵🇱 ładunek

🇯🇵 充電 (じゅうでん)

🇫🇷 charge

🇪🇸 carga

🇹🇷 yük

🇰🇷 충전 (충전)

🇸🇦 شحنة

🇨🇿 náboj

🇸🇰 náboj

🇨🇳 充电 (充电)

🇸🇮 polnjenje

🇮🇸 hleðsla

🇰🇿 заряд

🇬🇪 დატენვა

🇦🇿 yükləmə

🇲🇽 carga

Word Frequency Rank

At #570 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.