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charge

v. · n.
US //ˈtʃɑɹdʒ// charge
  1. 1 to ask for money (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to ask for a specific amount of money for a service or a product.

    to demand a specific price or fee for goods provided or services rendered.

    Example

    The hotel will charge you extra if you use the mini-bar in your room.

    Example

    The consultancy firm typically charges a premium for urgent projects that require weekend work.
    Pitfall
    They charged me for 50 dollars.
    They charged me 50 dollars.

    Do not use 'for' between the person and the amount of money.

  2. 2 to fill with electricity (v.)
    A2 Elementary Physics

    to put electricity into a battery or a device.

    to store electrical energy in a battery or capacitor.

    Example

    I need to charge my phone because the battery is almost dead.

    Example

    Electric vehicles can be fully charged overnight using a standard home charging station.
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  1. 3 to accuse of a crime (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Law

    to officially say that someone has committed a crime.

    to formally accuse a person of an offence in a court of law.

    Example

    The police decided to charge him with theft after finding the stolen goods.

    Example

    The prosecutor intended to charge the suspect with conspiracy, though the evidence remained largely circumstantial.

    Usage

    usually takes the preposition 'with'
    • acquit
    • exonerate
  2. 4 to rush forward (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to run forward quickly and forcefully, often to attack.

    to move forward rapidly and forcefully, typically in a military or aggressive context.

    Example

    The soldiers began to charge toward the enemy lines at dawn.

    Example

    The rhinoceros suddenly decided to charge the safari jeep, forcing the driver to reverse quickly.
  3. 5 a price or fee (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the amount of money you must pay for something.

    a formal price or fee levied for a service or privilege.

    Example

    There is a small delivery charge for orders under twenty dollars.

    Example

    The bank reversed the overdraft charge as a gesture of goodwill toward the long-term customer.
  4. 6 legal accusation (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Law

    a formal statement by the police saying someone did something illegal.

    a formal allegation of an offence or crime.

    Example

    He is facing a serious charge of fraud in the high court.

    Example

    The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault, claiming he acted in self-defence.
  5. 7 responsibility or care (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    being in control of something or looking after someone.

    the state of having responsibility for or control over someone or something.

    Example

    Who is in charge of the kitchen while the head chef is away?

    Example

    The young teacher was left in charge of thirty energetic children during the museum field trip.

    Usage

    often used in the phrase 'in charge of'
  6. 8 electrical energy (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Physics

    the amount of electricity in a battery or an object.

    a physical property of matter that causes it to experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field.

    Example

    The battery still has enough charge to last for another hour.

    Example

    The experiment demonstrated how a positive charge attracts a negative one within a vacuum.
Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱers- Proto-Indo-European *-ós Proto-Indo-European *ḱr̥sós Proto-Celtic *karros Gaulish *karrosbor. Late Latin carrus Late Latin -ico Late Latin carricō Late Latin carricāre Old French chargierder. Middle English chargen English charge From Middle English chargen, from Old French chargier, from Late Latin carricō (“to load”), from Latin carrus (“a car, wagon”); see car. Doublet of cargo.

Word family
Idioms5 entries

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