Alleged meaning in English
Learn how to use Alleged correctly with Gymglish.
Test and improve your English. Start your free trial today.
TEST YOUR ENGLISH
Free trial and no commitment to buy
4,7 on App Store, Play Store and Trustpilot
More than 8 million learners worldwide
Definition
(an) alleged (murderer): (an) assumed, claimed, supposed, suspected (murderer)
Pronunciation examples
UK: The alleged murderer could not be located for questioning.
US: Elkie Johns was arrested yesterday for allegedly taking heroin in a nightclub.
Examples
- "Journalist 1 : Mr. Delavigne, would you care to address rumors of your alleged homosexuality once and for all?"
- "Subject: Alleged food poisoning"
- "Furthermore, the weapon used in the assault, allegedly a small glass bottle, was not found at the scene of the crime."
- "Journalist 2 : Mr. Delavigne, now that you've put to rest any rumors of your alleged homosexuality, what do you plan on doing next?"
- "Wednesday : The bad boy of smoothies allegedly stayed in for a quiet night, with pizza and a DVD."
- "Me, Bruno Delavigne, allegedly the president and CEO of a perfume company."
- "Bruno : Allegedly murdered, Brian."
- "Bruno : Allegedly, of course."
- "Bruno and Horatio's Miracle Juices, a fledgling juice and smoothie bar, caused a stir last month when their "miraculous" juices allegedly cured a man of his loneliness, reunited a lost parrot with his lover, and helped settle a bitter dispute between a chicken and an egg."
- "Hannah : I'd like to discuss the CIA's alleged use of torture techniques against terror suspects."
Exercise 1
"We've been hearing rumors about a so-called 'man in the moon".
In this context, which word from the list below is synonymous with the term so-called?
In this context, which word from the list below is synonymous with the term so-called?
"We've been hearing rumors about a so-called 'man in the moon".
In this context, which word from the list below is synonymous with the term so-called?
In this context, which word from the list below is synonymous with the term so-called?
The terms "alleged" and "so-called" share a similar meaning in this context. The word "alleged" refers to something that is supposed but not proven. Example: The alleged killer changed his alibi three times. The term "so-called" can refer to anything that isn't necessarily proven to be true or to exist. So called' can also literally refer to the title or name of something: the Rolling Stones, the so-called "greatest band on earth".
The terms "hidden" and "so-called" are not synonymous. The word "hidden" refers to something that is covered or obstructed, and therefore impossible to see.
The terms "impossible" and "so-called" are not synonymous.
The terms "famous" and "so-called" are not synonymous. The word "famous" means "well-known". Example: Madonna is one of the most famous singers of our time.
Exercise 2
"Me, Bruno Delavigne, allegedly the president and CEO of a perfume company"
Which of the following words could replace allegedly in the above sentence?
Which of the following words could replace allegedly in the above sentence?
"Me, Bruno Delavigne, allegedly the president and CEO of a perfume company"
Which of the following words could replace allegedly in the above sentence?
Which of the following words could replace allegedly in the above sentence?
The terms "allegedly" and "certainly" are not synonyms. The word "certainly" means something is sure and without doubt. For example: Everest is certainly the highest mountain in the world.
This is correct. The terms "allegedly" and "supposedly" are synonyms. The word "allegedly" refers to something that is supposed but not proven. Example: There was allegedly a break-in last night but nobody saw it happening. Bruno is suggesting (with irony) that there is doubt about his status as boss if he is receiving customer service calls!
The terms "allegedly" and "reluctantly" are not synonyms. The word "reluctantly" means to do something in an unwilling manner (with reluctance). For example: He reluctantly went back to work after the holidays.
The terms "allegedly" and "legally" are not synonyms. The word "legally" means to do something "within the law" without "breaking the law". For example: At the age of 17 you are legally allowed to drive a car in the UK.
Exercise 3
"I'd like to discuss the CIA's alleged use of torture techniques..."
What does this phrase mean?
What does this phrase mean?
"I'd like to discuss the CIA's alleged use of torture techniques..."
What does this phrase mean?
What does this phrase mean?
This is incorrect. "Alleged" does not share this meaning. If we want to talk about things that happened regularly in the past, but no longer do so, we use the construction "used to". Example: I used to go swimming every day, but now I go to the sauna.
This is the correct answer. The adjective "alleged" refers to something that is supposed but not proven. To "allege (an incident)" is to assert it before proof is made. Example: It is alleged that the president is separated from his wife.
This is incorrect. "Alleged" does not share a similar meaning with "well known".
This is not a correct way of expressing the meaning of the term "alleged". The conditional tense is not used in English to express alleged facts. The constructions "it is thought/believed/alleged that..." are often used instead.
Still unsure of the best way to use 'Alleged'? Improve your English thanks to our online English lessons. We offer a free test as well as a free level assessment!
What our users say:
Test your English with Gymglish today and get a free level assessment
Absolutely free - no strings attached.
