blame

1 of 2

noun

1

: an expression of disapproval or reproach : censure

… saying nothing … either in the way of blame or praise.

—Robert Louis Stevenson

2

a

: a state of being blameworthy : culpability

… acknowledge the world/ As a world of common blame.

—Muriel Rukeyser

b

archaic : fault, sin

3

: responsibility for something believed to deserve censure

they must share the blame

blameless

ˈblām-ləs 

adjective

blamelessly adverb

blamelessness noun

blameless

2 of 2

adjective

blame·​less ˈblām-ləs 

: free from blame or fault : irreproachable

has lived a blameless life and … has prospered

—Green Peyton

blamelessly adverb

blamelessness noun

plural -es

Synonyms of blame

Noun

• guilt
• fault

Examples of blame in a Sentence

Noun

It's not entirely his fault, but he's not completely free of blame, either.

willingly accepted the blame for not seeing that the kitchen was properly cleaned

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Bottoms said political leaders should focus less on blame and more on voters' concerns. —Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 7 June 2026

In the meantime, each of the three companies is shirking blame. —Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 5 June 2026

No official casualty figures were immediately available from the violence that prompted calls for restraint from the United Nations and the United States as the government and opposition traded blame for the violence. —ABC News, 4 June 2026

It should be pointed out that Machado has stepped up to take plenty of blame in 2026. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from blame entry 2 + -less

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing blame

• apportion blame
• blame/shoot the messenger
• have no one to blame but oneself
• have (only) oneself to blame
• lay the blame for (something) at someone's door
• lay the blame/responsibility on
• not blame
• pin the blame on
• take the blame
• the finger of blame/suspicion
• to blame

Rhymes for blame

• aim
• brame
• came
• claim
• dame
• fame
• flame
• frame
• game
• haim
• lame
• maim

Kids Definition

blame

1 of 2 verb

ˈblām 

blamed; blaming

1

: to find fault with : censure

2

a

: to hold responsible

blame them for everything

b

: to place responsibility for

blames it on me

blamable

ˈblā-mə-bəl

adjective

blamably

-blē

adverb

blamer noun

blame

2 of 2 noun

1

: expression of disapproval

receive both blame and praise

2

: responsibility for something that fails : fault

take the blame for the defeat

Etymology

Verb

Middle English blamen "to find fault with," from early French blamer, blasmer (same meaning), from Latin blasphemare "to speak ill of," from Greek blasphemein "to blaspheme" — related to blaspheme