First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
culpable
adjective cul·pa·ble \ˈkəl-pə-bəl\
: deserving blame : guilty of doing something wrong
Full Definition of CULPABLE
2
: meriting condemnation or blame especially as wrong or harmful <culpable negligence>
— cul·pa·bil·i·ty \ˌkəl-pə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— cul·pa·ble·ness \ˈkəl-pə-bəl-nəs\ noun
— cul·pa·bly \-blē\ adverb
See culpable defined for English-language learners
See culpable defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of CULPABLE
Middle English coupable, from Anglo-French cupable, culpable, from Latin culpabilis, from culpare to blame, from culpa guilt
Related to CULPABLE
- Synonyms
- blamable, censurable, blameworthy, reprehensible, reproachable
- Antonyms
- blameless, faultless, impeccable, irreproachable
Synonym Discussion of CULPABLE
blameworthy, blamable, guilty, culpable mean deserving reproach or punishment. blameworthy and blamable apply to any degree of reprehensibility <conduct adjudged blameworthy> <an accident for which no one is blamable>. guilty implies responsibility for or consciousness of crime, sin, or, at the least, grave error or misdoing <guilty of a breach of etiquette>. culpable is weaker than guilty and is likely to connote malfeasance or errors of ignorance, omission, or negligence <culpable neglect>.
Learn More About CULPABLE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: culpa lataPrevious Word in the Dictionary: culpaAll Words Near: culpable
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up culpable? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).