Charged Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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charged

[tʃɑːdʒd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

legal

Accuse formally of a crime. Bring (a person or organization) to trial.

Synonyms

accuse, arraign, indict.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
charged

Used when someone has been formally accused of a crime by the police or judiciary process.

  • He was charged with burglary last night
  • She is being charged with embezzlement
accuse

Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts when a person claims that someone else has done something wrong or illegal. Often not yet legally proven.

  • She accused him of stealing her wallet
  • They accused the company of misleading advertising
indict

Used in legal contexts when a grand jury officially charges someone with a serious crime.

  • The grand jury decided to indict the businessman on charges of insider trading
  • She was indicted for tax evasion
arraign

Used in a legal context when someone is brought before a court to hear the charges against them and enter a plea.

  • The suspect was arraigned in court today
  • He was arraigned on charges of fraud

Examples of usage

  • The man was charged with murder.
  • The company was charged with fraud.
  • The police charged the suspect with theft.
Context #2 | Verb

finance

Demand a certain amount as a price or payment.

Synonyms

bill, invoice, price.

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Word Description / Examples
charged

Used when referring to the act of asking someone to pay for goods or services.

  • The restaurant charged us $50 for dinner.
  • He was charged a small fee for the extra luggage.
bill

Commonly used when referring to a written or printed statement of money owed for goods or services. Usually seen in restaurants, utilities, or any service where a detailed list of charges is provided.

  • Can you bring us the bill, please?
  • I received the water bill yesterday and it was higher than usual.
invoice

Mostly used in business contexts where a detailed statement of charges for goods or services provided is sent to a customer. Often formal and includes terms of payment.

  • The company sent an invoice for the web design services.
  • Please ensure that the invoice is paid within 30 days.
price

Refers to the amount of money required for a product or service. Used generally to talk about costs or values.

  • What's the price of this shirt?
  • The price of gasoline keeps increasing.

Examples of usage

  • The restaurant charged $20 for the meal.
  • The hotel charged extra for late check-out.
Context #3 | Noun

electricity

The amount of electric charge in a body.

Synonyms

current, electricity, power.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
charged

useful in describing a situation where something is filled with energy or excitement. This can be in physical terms (like a battery) or emotional terms (like a tense atmosphere).

  • The room was charged with anticipation.
  • The battery is fully charged.
electricity

suitable in general discussions about electric power or phenomena.

  • Electricity powers our homes.
  • You could feel the electricity in the crowd.
power

versatile for discussing energy, control, influence, or mechanical force.

  • The power went out during the storm.
  • She has a lot of power in the company.
  • The machine needs more power to operate.
current

best when talking about the flow of electricity or, metaphorically, the flow of something like water or trends.

  • The current in the river was very strong.
  • Electrical current flows through the wires.

Examples of usage

  • The battery has a full charge.
  • The device requires a charge before use.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Science

  • In physics, 'charged' refers to an object that has an electric charge, either positive or negative, affecting how it interacts with other charged objects.
  • Electric charges play a crucial role in everyday technology, powering devices from smartphones to computers.
  • Electrostatic force, the result of charged particles, is fundamental in explaining phenomena like lightning and static electricity.

Pop Culture

  • The term is often used in superhero comics and movies, where characters are sometimes portrayed as having 'charged' powers or abilities.
  • In music, songs about being 'charged' capture feelings of excitement and energy, making listeners feel more invigorated.
  • The use of 'charged' in sports often describes intense moments when players give their all, creating nail-biting excitement for fans.

Psychology

  • The term is used to describe emotions that are high in intensity, such as being 'charged up' with enthusiasm or anger during pivotal moments.
  • In therapy, exploring 'charged' feelings can help individuals understand their emotional responses and promote healing.
  • Cognitive dissonance often leaves individuals feeling 'charged' with conflicting emotions, leading to a drive for resolution.

Literature

  • Writers use 'charged' language to evoke strong emotions, making the story more engaging and relatable to readers.
  • In poetry, a 'charged' word can evoke vivid imagery, stirring feelings and creating a lasting impact on the audience.
  • Classical literature often features 'charged' characters, whose intense motivations drive the plot and engage readers.

Origin of 'charged'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'charged' comes from the Latin 'carricare,' which means to load or burden, emphasizing filling with energy or responsibility.
  • In Middle English, it developed into 'charge,' signifying a duty or accusation, showing how its meaning has expanded over time.
  • The transition of the term into scientific contexts, like electricity, highlights the word's versatile journey from simple loading to complex theories.

The word 'charge' originates from the Old French 'charger', which means 'to load, burden'. It has evolved over time to encompass various meanings such as accusing someone of a crime, demanding payment, or the amount of electric charge in a body. The word has been used in English since the 13th century and continues to be a versatile term in modern language.


See also: chargeable, charger, charges, charging, decharging, discharge, overcharge, recharge, supercharger, surcharge.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,389, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.