Word a Day
allege
What does allege mean?
allege (verb): to make a claim as justification or proof; to make an assertion without proof.
Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
How do you use allege in a sentence?
- The agency alleged that my credit history had problems. (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0)
How do you pronounce allege?
/əˈlɛdʒ/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.
Where does allege come from?
From Middle English aleggen, perhaps from Old French alleguer, or from Anglo-Norman aleger, the form perhaps from Old French esligier (“to acquit”), from Medieval Latin *exlītigāre (“to clear at law”).
Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Test yourself: do you know “allege”?
Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.
What does “allege” mean?
to behave (especially to walk or carry oneself) in a pompous, superior manner
Not quite: that's what swagger means.
to make an inference based on inconclusive evidence; to surmise or conjecture
Not quite: that's what speculate means.
to make a claim as justification or proof; to make an assertion without proof
Right! That's what “allege” means.
send on a course or in a direction different from the planned or intended one
Not quite: that's what divert means.
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