blame

UK: bleɪm | US: bleɪm

Definition

  1. n. responsibility for a fault or wrong

  2. vt. to assign responsibility for a fault or wrong

  3. vi. (rare) to express disapproval

Structure
bla <to speak ill>me <suffix>bla <to speak ill>me <suffix>
Etymology

The word "blame" traces back to the Latin blasphemare, meaning "to blaspheme" or "speak ill of." Through Old French blasmer, it entered Middle English as "blamen," retaining the core idea of assigning fault. Over time, the spelling simplified to "blame," while the meaning narrowed to focus on responsibility for wrongdoing rather than general criticism.

Examples

  1. She accepted the blame for the project's failure.

  2. Don't blame others for your mistakes.

  3. The report blames poor maintenance for the accident.

  4. He was quick to blame his teammate for the loss.

  5. Blaming the weather won't solve the problem.