Dictionary
1blame
verb \ˈblām\
: to say or think that a person or thing is responsible for something bad that has happened
blamedblam·ing
Full Definition of BLAME
transitive verb
1
: to find fault with : censure <the right to praise or blame a literary work>
2
a : to hold responsible <they blame me for everything> b : to place responsibility for <blames it on me>
— blam·er noun
— to blame
: at fault : responsible <says he's not to blame for the accident>
See blame defined for English-language learners
See blame defined for kids
Usage Discussion of BLAME
Use of blame in sense 2b with on has occasionally been disparaged as wrong. Such disparagement is without basis; blame on occurs as frequently in carefully edited prose as blame for. Both are standard.
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Origin of BLAME
Middle English, from Anglo-French blamer, blasmer, from Late Latin blasphemare to blaspheme, from Greek blasphēmein
First Known Use: 13th century
2blame
noun
: responsibility for something that fails or is wrong
Full Definition of BLAME
1
: an expression of disapproval or reproach : censure
2
a : a state of being blameworthy : culpability b archaic : fault, sin
3
: responsibility for something believed to deserve censure <they must share the blame>
— blame·less \-ləs\ adjective
— blame·less·ly adverb
— blame·less·ness noun
See blame defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BLAME
13th century
Related to BLAME
- Synonyms
- culpability, fault, guilt, onus, rap
- Antonyms
- blamelessness, faultlessness, guiltlessness, innocence
BLAMER Defined for Kids
1blame
verb \ˈblām\
blamedblam·ing
Definition of BLAME for Kids
1
: to find fault with <Who could blame her for wanting to leave?>
2
: to hold responsible <He blamed me for everything.>
3
: to place responsibility for <Don't blame the mistake on us.>
2blame
noun
Definition of BLAME for Kids
1
: responsibility for something that fails or is wrong <They took blame for the defeat.>
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