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We would be culpable—that is, deserving of blame—if we didn’t clearly explain the origin of culprit. Yes, it is related to culpable, which itself comes (via Middle English and Anglo-French) from the Latin verb culpare, meaning “to blame.” But the etymology of culprit is not so straightforward. In Anglo-French, culpable meant “guilty,” and this was abbreviated “cul.” in legal briefs and texts. Culprit was formed by combining this abbreviation with the Anglo-French word prest or prit, meaning “ready”; literally, a culprit was one who was ready to be proven guilty. The word was eventually adopted into English and used to refer to someone who is accused of a wrongdoing. The word has since taken on an additional meaning: “the source or cause of a problem.”
Examples of culprit in a Sentence
Francine Kiefer, Christian Science Monitor, 2 June 2025
Extreme weather events can significantly disrupt renewable energy infrastructures – and the Iberian peninsula’s grid is 80% powered by renewables.
Turns out the weather wasn’t the culprit this time.
—Renny Vandewege, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
However, Milch says eagle-eyed viewers may have been able to suss out that Nicky was the culprit much earlier in the season based solely on Banks’ movements.
—Emlyn Travis Published, EW.com, 30 May 2025
During the first filing, Cardi claimed cheating wasn’t the culprit and they simply weren’t aligned anymore despite prevalent cheating rumors circulating online.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for culprit
Cite this Entry
“Culprit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culprit. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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culprit
noun
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