culpable

UK: ˈkʌlpəb(ə)l | US: ˈkʌlpəb(ə)l

Definition

  1. adj. deserving blame or censure; guilty

  2. adj. involving or constituting a fault or wrongdoing

Structure
culp <blame, from Latin *culpa*>able <capable of, from Latin *-abilis*>
Etymology

The word "culpable" traces back to Latin culpabilis, derived from culpa (meaning "fault" or "blame"). The morpheme culp- preserves the core idea of blameworthiness, while -able (a suffix denoting capacity or susceptibility) transforms it into an adjective meaning "capable of being blamed." Over time, the term evolved in English to describe legal and moral responsibility for wrongdoing, retaining its logical connection to fault.

Examples

  1. The jury found the defendant culpable for the accident.

  2. Ignorance of the law does not make one less culpable.

  3. The report identified several culpable errors in the system.

  4. She felt morally culpable for not speaking up sooner.

  5. The investigation revealed no culpable negligence.