charge
/tʃɑːdʒ/- 1.
An amount of money you must pay for a service, use, or product. It can also mean a cost added to a bill.
- There is a small charge for delivery.
- The hotel made no extra charge.
- Service charges are included.
- 2.
The act of rushing forward to attack, or a sudden movement in that direction. In business, it can also mean control or responsibility.
- The horse made a sudden charge.
- She was put in charge of the team.
- The officer led the charge.
To ask someone to pay money for something, or to blame someone for a crime or fault. It can also mean to attack or move forward quickly.
- They charged me for the repair.
- Police charged him with theft.
- The dog charged at the gate.
Adinary Nuance
Charge is broader than fee and price. A fee is usually a set payment for a service, while a charge can be any added cost on a bill. Charge is also used for legal action and attack, so context matters. That is why it often feels more versatile than its near-neighbors.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- phí
- Spanish
- cargo
- Chinese
- 费用
- Japanese
- 料金
- Korean
- 요금
Etymology
Charge came into English from Old French in the Middle Ages. It was used first for carrying or loading, then for responsibility, attack, and payment.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between charge and fee?
- A fee is usually a fixed payment. A charge is a more general word for money asked for a service or extra cost.
- Is charge used in legal English?
- Yes. Police can charge someone with a crime. This is a very common legal use.
- Can charge mean responsibility?
- Yes. If you are in charge of something, you are responsible for it or lead it.
- Is charge formal or informal?
- It is common in both everyday and formal English. The meaning depends on the sentence.