noun

allegation

al-ih-GAY-shuhn

noun

A claim or accusation made without proof that it is true.

"The company denied the allegations of fraud."

"Police are investigating an allegation of theft against the employee."

How to Use Allegation

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething someone claims happened, before it has been proven.

Common mistake

An allegation is unproven by definition — reporting "an alleged crime" as fact rather than a claim is a common journalistic error.

Common pairings

make an allegation deny the allegations allegations of corruption unfounded allegation

allegations plural

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Can you complete this real example?

The company denied the _____ of fraud.

From Latin allegare, "to bring forward as evidence" — the same root as "allege."

accusation assertion censure charge crimination impeachment

accusation argument retreat deem attack penalty affirmation charge

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accusation assertion censure charge crimination impeachment argument retreat deem attack penalty affirmation