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blame

verb

/bleɪm/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of blame

To hold someone or something responsible or accountable for a perceived fault, mistake, wrongdoing, or negative outcome.
"She was quick to blame others instead of admitting her own errors."

Detailed meaning of blame

When someone blames, they attribute or assign culpability or fault to a person, group, or object. It involves assigning responsibility for an action or event and identifying the cause or source of an undesirable outcome. Blaming often entails expressing disapproval, criticism, or judgment towards the individual or entity believed to be at fault. The act of blaming can stem from a desire to seek explanations, allocate accountability, or even deflect personal responsibility. It is a way of attributing causality and making sense of events or circumstances. However, blaming can also be accompanied by negative emotions, tension, and conflict, particularly when there is a lack of empathy, understanding, or effective communication.

Example sentences containing blame

1. It is easy to blame others for our own mistakes.
2. She tends to blame circumstances for her lack of success.
3. He refuses to accept blame for the project's failure.
4. The politician tried to shift the blame onto his opponent.
5. Don't put the blame on me; it was a collective decision.
6. Blaming yourself won't solve the problem; take action instead.

History and etymology of blame

The etymology of the verb 'blame' can be traced back to Old English, where it was known as 'blæman.' This word was derived from the Proto-Germanic root 'blamjan,' which meant 'to shout' or 'to loudly proclaim.' Over time, the meaning of 'blame' evolved to refer to the act of publicly censuring or accusing someone for a perceived fault or wrongdoing. The shift from a literal sense of shouting to the figurative sense of assigning responsibility highlights how language can adapt and change to convey abstract concepts like accountability and fault-finding.

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Further usage examples of blame

1. The parents placed the blame on the school for their child's poor grades.
2. It's not fair to place all the blame on one person; there were multiple factors involved.
3. The company's management was quick to assign blame for the financial loss.
4. Blaming others won't help you grow as a person; take responsibility for your actions.
5. The coach refused to take the blame for the team's poor performance.
6. Blaming external circumstances is an easy way to avoid personal accountability.
7. She redirected the blame onto her assistant, even though it was her own oversight.
8. The investigation aimed to determine who was at fault and assign blame accordingly.
9. Blaming the weather won't change the fact that the event was poorly organized.
10. The teacher refused to single out a student and place blame for the disruption.
11. Instead of playing the blame game, let's focus on finding a solution.
12. It's important to have open communication without resorting to blame.
13. Blaming someone without understanding the full context is unfair.
14. The siblings engaged in a blame war, each pointing fingers at the other.