What is charge? Pronunciation and usage in English

charge means . Learn how to pronounce and use charge through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of charge

chargeverb/noun

/tʃɑːdʒ/
Definition & pronunciation of charge

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "charge" in English. There are a couple of ways it's pronounced, depending on the context. Here's a breakdown:

1. "Charge" as in "to attack" or "to take a risk" (verb):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈtʃɑːrdʒ/ (This is the most common pronunciation)
  • Breakdown:
    • ˈtʃɑːrdʒ: This is the core of the word.
      • ˈtʃ - Sounds like "ch" as in "chair." It's a short, sharp "ch" sound.
      • ɑː – This is a broad "a" sound, like in "father" or "car." It's a longer vowel sound.
      • rdʒ – This is tricky! It's pronounced like "rdj" – almost like "red-jee." Don't worry too much about getting this perfectly, but aiming for that blend is helpful.

2. "Charge" as in "electric charge" (noun):

  • Pronunciation: /tʃɑːrdʒ/ (Same as the verb pronunciation)
  • Breakdown: Same as above.

Resources to Help You Hear It:

Tips for Practice:

  • Start slowly: Don't try to rush. Focus on getting each sound correct.
  • Listen and repeat: Listen to recordings and mimic the sounds.
  • Record yourself: Record yourself saying "charge" and compare it to a native speaker's pronunciation.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word charge in English

Let's break down how to use the word "charge" in English. It's a remarkably versatile word with many different meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized by its common usages:

1. As a Verb (To accuse/blame):

  • Meaning: To claim that someone did something wrong or is responsible for something bad.
  • Examples:
    • "The police are charging him with robbery." (Accusing him)
    • "I charge you with negligence." (Formally accusing someone)
    • "They charged him with spreading false rumors." (Blaming him)

2. As a Verb (To demand payment):

  • Meaning: To ask for or demand money for a service or product.
  • Examples:
    • "The hotel charged us $200 per night." (Demanding payment)
    • "The shop charged me $10 for the book." (Asking for money)
    • "The company charged a late fee for the overdue payment." (Demanding payment)

3. As a Verb (To power something):

  • Meaning: To provide electricity to something.
  • Examples:
    • "You need to charge your phone." (Charging with electricity)
    • "The solar panels charge the batteries." (Charging using sunlight)
    • "The laptop charges while it's plugged in." (Charging with electricity)

4. As a Noun (A formal accusation):

  • Meaning: A formal accusation presented in court. (Often used in legal contexts)
  • Examples:
    • "The prosecutor presented a strong charge against the defendant."
    • "He faced a serious charge of fraud."

5. As a Noun (A fee/price):

  • Meaning: A sum of money asked for a service, product, or activity.
  • Examples:
    • "There's a charge for using the internet."
    • "The conference fee includes a registration charge."
    • "A service charge may apply."

6. As a Noun (A military expedition/attack):

  • Meaning: A military operation or offensive.
  • Examples:
    • "The army launched a charge against the enemy lines." (A forceful advance)
    • "The historical narrative describes the charge of the cavalry."

7. As a Noun (Emotion/Energy):

  • Meaning: A strong feeling, such as anger, excitement, or enthusiasm.
  • Examples:
    • "He felt a surge of charge as he entered the arena." (Energy/excitement)
    • "The speech was full of charge." (Emotion)

8. As a Noun (The part of a battery that holds electrical energy):

  • Meaning: The component of a battery that stores electricity.
  • Example: "The charge in the battery is low."

Tips for Choosing the Right Meaning:

  • Context is key! The surrounding words will usually tell you which meaning is intended.
  • Consider the subject: Is it about money, law, electronics, or something else?

Resources for More Information:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to do with the word "charge"? (e.g., "I'm writing a sentence about charging a phone," or "I need to understand how to use it in a legal context.")

Synonyms for the word charge

Idioms of the word charge

bring/press/lay/prefer charges against somebody
(law)to accuse somebody formally of a crime so that there can be a trial in court
  • Police have brought a charge of dangerous driving against the man.
  • Many victims of crime are reluctant to press charges against their attackers.
  • She laid charges against the firm for not complying with the regulations.
get a charge out of something
(North American English)to get a strong feeling of excitement or pleasure from something
  • I get a real charge out of working hard and seeing good results.
lead the charge
to be the first to make the effort to do something new
  • Denmark, Norway and Sweden are united in leading the charge to a cash-free economy.

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