culpable

Definitions

culp (Latin culpa, 'fault, blame') + -able (able to be) = able to be blamed. The meaning lives in culp-; abil adds 'able to be.' Same root as culprit and exculpate (clear of blame).

Common Collocations

• 1.culpable for对……有过失
• 2.morally culpable道德上有责的
• 3.criminally culpable负有刑责的
• 4.hold someone culpable认定某人有过失

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The report found three officials culpable for the failure.

• 2.

  He felt culpable for not warning them sooner.

Easily Confused

culpable vs guilty — Both assign blame, but guilty is the everyday and legal verdict word (found guilty of theft), while culpable is more formal and emphasizes deserving blame, often without a court ruling (culpable negligence). Court says it → guilty; deserves blame → culpable.