blame

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an accusation that you are responsible for some lapse or misdeed
  2. noun a reproach for some lapse or misdeed
  3. verb put or pin the blame on

Etymology

From Middle English blame, borrowed from Old French blame, blasme, produced from the verb blasmer, which in turn is derived from Late Latin blastēmāre, variant of blasphēmāre, from Ancient Greek βλασφημέω (blasphēméō). Doublet of blaspheme. Displaced native Old English tǣling (“blame”) and tǣlan (“to blame”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

incrimination, inculpation

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