# culpability

/ˌkəɫpəˈbɪɫɪti/ (US) · /kˌʌlpəbˈɪlɪti/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/culpability
Updated: 2026-05-27

## Definition

the state of being responsible for a crime or a bad mistake. It means you are to blame for something that went wrong.

For teachers: the state of being responsible for a crime or a fault. Often used in legal or formal contexts to describe the degree of guilt or liability.

## Examples

- The judge decided that the company was not culpable for the accident.
- After the investigation, the board of directors accepted full culpability for the financial losses suffered by the shareholders.
- The defense argued that while the defendant was present, there was no evidence of his direct culpability in the planning or execution of the crime.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.