Culpable
KUL-puh-buhl
/ˈkʌlpəbəl/
Deserving blame; blameworthy. Legally, it implies responsibility for a fault or wrong.
To be culpable means you are at fault, but it doesn't necessarily mean you are guilty of a crime, though it often precedes such a finding. It emphasizes moral or legal blameworthiness.
The story behind the word. The word 'culpable' comes from the Latin culpa, meaning 'fault, blame, guilt'. This root is also found in the phrase 'mea culpa' ('my fault'). The word entered English in the late 14th century, directly from Old French 'coupable'. It has always carried the strong sense of deserving blame or being at fault for a wrongdoing.
Word relationships
- blameworthy: Direct synonym, perhaps slightly less formal.
- reprehensible: Describes an act as deserving strong condemnation, rather than a person as deserving blame.
- guilty: Stronger, specifically implies having committed a crime or offense, whereas 'culpable' can be for a fault or wrong not necessarily criminal.
- innocent: Not guilty of a crime or offense.
- blameless: Not deserving blame.
Commonly confused with
- guilty: One is 'culpable' if they are at fault; one is 'guilty' if they have been proven to have committed a crime.
Word family
- culpability (noun): responsibility for a fault or wrong; blame.
Collocations
- culpable negligence
- morally culpable
- legally culpable
- found culpable
Example sentences
- "The report concluded that the company's negligence made it `Culpable` for the environmental disaster." The investigation sought to identify who was responsible for the accident.
- "The jury found the defendant `Culpable` of the charges, leading to a conviction." In legal proceedings, establishing blame is a key step.
- "By failing to report the crime, she was considered `Culpable` of complicity." Even inaction can sometimes lead to blameworthiness.
Memory hook
If you're `Culpable`, you have the 'CULP' (fault) and deserve 'BLAME'. Blame-worthy
When not to use
Avoid using 'culpable' for minor mistakes or when you want to express mere regret. It carries a strong sense of deserving blame for a significant wrong.
Fun facts
- The legal concept of 'culpable negligence' refers to negligence that is so extreme it warrants criminal prosecution.
- In some legal systems, there are degrees of culpability, from slight to gross negligence.
Related words
Explore more words
culpability, guilty, dereliction, censure, condemn, punitive
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.