noun

accusation

ak-yuh-ZAY-shun/ˌækjuˈzeɪʃn/

A claim that someone did something wrong or illegal.

The accusation concerns the broken object, while the colleague denies responsibility.

In a contemporary office one colleague points to a broken office object while addressing another who raises hands in disagreement, an allegation with uncertainty rather than established guilt.

Etymology

acLatinwith regard to

+cusLatincause; lawsuit

+ationLatinaction or process

Here causa means a lawsuit or legal case: the underlying expression developed into calling someone to account. Accusation names the resulting complaint or claim of wrongdoing.

In context

Enhanced Public Domain237:44

… the inspector offered his resignation to the board being much nettled by an accusation of incompetence in the London papers …

1920s Fiction: Arthur Conan Doyle - Tales of Terror (Audiobook)

More examples

She rejected the accusation.
Several accusations remained unproved.
He apologized for making a false accusation.

Forms

accusation · accusations

accuse verb — To claim that someone did something wrong.

Similar words

allegation: Allegation often sounds more formal and may concern an unproved claim.
charge: Charge can imply a formal legal accusation.