noun

blame

blaym

noun

Responsibility for something bad, or the act of holding someone responsible for it.

"She took the blame for the mistake even though it wasn't entirely her fault."

"There's enough blame to go around on this project."

verb

To hold someone or something responsible for a fault or problem.

"Don't blame me if the plan falls through — I warned you."

"The report blamed poor maintenance for the accident."

How to Use Blame

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSaying (or deciding) that someone or something is responsible for something bad.

Common mistake

"To blame" (as in "who is to blame") uses the infinitive, not "to be blamed for."

Common pairings

take the blame place the blame on blame someone for something to blame

Word Forms

blamed past tense, blame plural, blamed plural, blames singular, blame singular, blamed singular, blamest singular, blamedst singular, blameth singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She took the _____ for the mistake even though it wasn't entirely her fault.

Etymology

From Old French blasmer, going back through Latin to Greek blasphēmeîn — the same root that gives us "blaspheme."

Synonyms

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accuse atwite bumble challenge cop out decry defame denounce fault finger inculpate lay at someone's door

Antonyms

absolve acquit disculpate forgive

Related Words

absolve accuse person finger forgive spoil end handle

Rhymes for blame

name came game dame same fame tame lame flame frame shame aflame

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accuse atwite bumble challenge cop out decry defame denounce fault finger inculpate lay at someone's door