alleged

Everyday

1. Alleged means said to be true, or said to have happened, but not yet proven. tree →
2. (law, news) An alleged crime or alleged thief is one that someone has accused, but a court has not yet decided. tree →
3. (verb) If someone alleged something, they claimed it was true without proving it. tree →

In the lessons

In news and media lessons, «alleged» is an important word: reporters use it to be fair because a person is innocent until proven guilty. In stories and playground arguments, an «alleged» thing is just a claim. Phrases: «the alleged attack», «allegedly», «it is alleged that».

Examples

• The newspaper wrote about the alleged robbery. tree →
• The alleged thief has not been found guilty yet. tree →
• My brother alleged that I ate his chocolate, but he had no proof. tree →
• The man denied the alleged crime in court. tree →
• It is alleged that the money went missing on Friday. tree →
• The so-called alleged monster in the lake has never been photographed clearly. tree →
• Reporters say «alleged» until a judge decides. tree →
• About them many stories are current, generally having reference to their alleged jealousies and disputes. tree →

Note

Pronounced «a-LEJD», two syllables. Spelled with «-ged», not «-dged». Adverb: «allegedly». Trap: «alleged» does not mean false; it means not yet proven either way.