charge
charge — verb
1. to ask someone to pay a specific amount in exchange for a product, a service, or
to ask someone to pay a specific amount in exchange for a product, a service, or the right to use something
The garage charged Liang £80 for repairing his car brakes.
charge + [someone] + [amount] + for + [something]
How much does the hotel charge for a room with a sea view?
charge + [amount] + for + [something] (question form)
Ada's dentist charged her forty pounds for the check-up yesterday.
The tour company charged each person fifty dollars for the boat trip.
Faisal's landlord charged him an extra fee for keeping a pet cat.
- give away
to offer without asking for payment
文法句型
charge + [someone] + [amount] + for + [something]
charge + [amount] + for + [something]
用法筆記
Common in business, retail, and service contexts. Can take two objects: the person paying and the amount.
常見錯誤
2. to record a purchase on a customer's account so that the total amount can be pai
to record a purchase on a customer's account so that the total amount can be paid at a later date, rather than asking for cash or card payment at the time
Rachel charged her new coat to her mother's account at the shop.
charge + [something] + to + [account]
The hotel said they would charge the meal to James's room bill.
Linh asked the store to charge the purchase to her credit account.
The restaurant charged the wine to the business account automatically.
Constanza charged the gardening tools to her account at the hardware shop.
- pay
to settle the amount immediately rather than deferring payment
文法句型
charge + [something] + to + [someone / account]
charge + [someone] + [amount]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a business or service provider. The preposition 'to' introduces the account or person being billed.
3. when law enforcement tells someone in an official way that they are believed to
when law enforcement tells someone in an official way that they are believed to have broken the law and will have to answer for it in court
The police charged Obi with stealing money from the office safe.
charge + [someone] + with + [crime]
Hamza was charged with driving without a valid licence last week.
passive: be charged with [crime]
Detectives charged the woman with breaking into three homes in the area.
The court date was set after police charged Élise with the robbery.
Ilan's lawyer argued that the police should not have charged his client.
文法句型
charge + [someone] + with + [crime]
用法筆記
Frequently passive ('was charged with'). Subject is typically the police or a prosecutor. The crime follows 'with' as a gerund or noun phrase.
常見錯誤
4. to state openly that a person, group, or organisation has behaved wrongly or has
to state openly that a person, group, or organisation has behaved wrongly or has broken a rule, without necessarily involving the police
Critics charged the mayor with ignoring the needs of poor families.
charge + [someone] + with + [gerund phrase]
Mathieu's opponents charged him with lying about his work experience.
News reporters charged the company with hiding safety problems from workers.
Some parents charged the school with failing to protect children at playtime.
Liang charged his neighbour with damaging the garden they share.
- defend
to speak in support of someone against an accusation
文法句型
charge + [someone] + with + [doing something bad]
charge + that + [clause]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 3: this sense does not involve a police or legal procedure — it is a public claim of wrongdoing. Common in political, journalistic, and workplace contexts.
常見錯誤
5. to run or move very fast towards a person or thing, often in an aggressive or vi
to run or move very fast towards a person or thing, often in an aggressive or violent way, especially in order to attack
The bull suddenly charged at the farmer who was crossing the field.
charge + at + [someone]
When the door opened, the excited dogs charged towards their owner.
The soldiers charged towards the enemy position before the sun came up.
Faisal's horse charged across the open field when a loud noise startled it.
The protesters charged at the metal gate, but the police held them back.
文法句型
charge + at + [someone / something]
charge + towards + [someone / something]
charge + [someone / something]
用法筆記
Often used with a preposition of direction (at, towards, across, into). When transitive, the object is the person or thing being attacked.
6. to move quickly from one place or activity to another, often because you have ma
to move quickly from one place or activity to another, often because you have many things to do in a short time
Ada spent the whole morning charging around town buying supplies for the party.
charge around [place]
The nurses charged from one room to another during the emergency.
Obi had to charge between three different offices to get all the paperwork done.
Hamza's mother was charging about the kitchen, preparing food for the guests.
Rachel charged through the airport to reach her gate before the flight left.
文法句型
charge + [adverb / prepositional phrase]
用法筆記
Always takes an adverb or prepositional phrase indicating direction (around, about, through, between). Never used without a complement.
常見錯誤
7. in basketball and similar sports, to run into or push an opposing player, commit
in basketball and similar sports, to run into or push an opposing player, committing a foul under the rules.
The referee called a foul when Rachid charged into the defender near the basket.
charge + into + opponent noun phrase
If a player charges during a basketball match, the other team gets the ball.
Charging an opponent who has already taken their position on court is against the rules.
The coach told Sven not to charge the point guard so hard in the final quarter.
- run into
less formal; describes the physical action without implying a rules violation
- barge into
more informal; suggests careless or rude contact
文法句型
charge + into/toward + noun phrase
charge + noun phrase (opponent)
用法筆記
This sense applies mainly to basketball and American football. Distinguish from sense 6, where charge means to hurry — in sense 7 the contact with another player is the key element.
常見錯誤
8. to load a gun, cannon, or similar weapon with enough explosive material for one
to load a gun, cannon, or similar weapon with enough explosive material for one shot.
The soldier carefully charged his rifle before the training exercise began.
transitive: charge + weapon (rifle)
Eleni watched her grandfather charge the old hunting gun with black powder.
charge + weapon + with + explosive material
In past wars, soldiers charged a cannon by pouring powder down its barrel before each shot.
The instructor showed Min how to charge the musket so it would fire safely.
- load
more general; can apply to any weapon and is far more common in modern use
- fill with powder
descriptive phrase; clarifies the specific action
文法句型
charge + noun phrase (weapon) + with + noun phrase (explosive)
用法筆記
This sense is historical or specialist in modern contexts, as most firearms today use pre-loaded cartridges rather than being charged manually.
常見錯誤
9. to formally order or instruct someone to do a particular task or take on a respo
to formally order or instruct someone to do a particular task or take on a responsibility.
The general charged the soldiers with guarding the supply route through the mountains.
charge + someone + with + gerund phrase
Rachid was charged with organising the school's annual charity fundraiser this year.
passive: be charged with + gerund phrase
The committee charged Gabriel to find a suitable venue for the conference before March.
The dean charged the new professor with developing a course on modern Asian history.
- relieve
opposite meaning: to remove someone from a duty or responsibility
文法句型
be charged with + noun phrase / gerund
charge + someone + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive (be charged with + task). Unlike sense 10, this sense is not limited to legal proceedings — the person giving the order can be any authority figure.
常見錯誤
10. when a judge gives a jury official instructions about the laws they must apply i
when a judge gives a jury official instructions about the laws they must apply in order to reach a verdict in a court case.
The judge charged the jury to disregard any information they had seen in the news.
charge + jury + to-infinitive
Before the jury began their talks, the judge charged them on the legal meaning of self-defence.
charge + jury + on + legal topic
The defence lawyer claimed the judge had not properly charged the jury on the burden of proof.
Valentina listened closely as the judge charged the jury with instructions about the evidence.
文法句型
charge + noun phrase (jury) + to-infinitive
charge + noun phrase (jury) + on + noun phrase
用法筆記
Only applies to a judge speaking to a jury. Do not use for general orders — that is sense 9. This sense belongs to legal procedure and rarely appears outside court or courtroom drama contexts.
常見錯誤
11. to put electrical energy into a battery or device so that it can store power and
to put electrical energy into a battery or device so that it can store power and work without being plugged into a mains socket.
Hyun forgot to charge his phone before leaving for the airport in the morning.
transitive: charge + device (phone)
The electric car needs to charge for at least six hours to fill the battery fully.
passive: be charged for [duration]
Dewi charged the camera battery overnight so it would be ready for the hiking trip.
You can charge the tablet using a USB cable connected to your laptop.
These wireless earbuds charge in about an hour and last for a full day.
文法句型
charge + noun phrase (device/battery)
charge up + noun phrase
noun phrase (device) charges
用法筆記
Can be used transitively (I charge the battery) or intransitively (the battery charges). The phrasal verb charge up is common in informal speech.
常見錯誤
charge — noun
1. the sum a seller asks a buyer to pay for a product, activity, or service provide
the sum a seller asks a buyer to pay for a product, activity, or service provided
The hotel charges include breakfast, dinner, and free Wi-Fi for all guests.
collocation: charges include [items]
There is a small charge for using the hotel swimming pool.
a charge for [service]
Ayana checked the bank charge before signing the rental agreement.
All repairs are done at no extra charge to the customer.
The delivery charge for the new sofa was fifty dollars, plus tax.
文法句型
charge for [something]
free of charge
用法筆記
Commonly appears in the fixed phrase 'free of charge' (meaning without payment). When countable, plural 'charges' often lists itemised costs.
常見錯誤
2. a formal statement by the police or a court accusing someone of breaking the law
a formal statement by the police or a court accusing someone of breaking the law, which may lead to a trial
The police dropped the charge after finding no evidence against Rodrigo.
charge + drop: stop the legal process
Samir is facing a charge of theft from the electronics store.
face a charge of [crime]
Sumin's lawyer asked the judge to reduce the charge to a minor offence.
The charge of fraud was brought against the company director.
Beatrix was cleared of all charges when the witness changed her story.
- indictment
a formal written accusation, especially from a grand jury; more technical than 'charge'
- accusation
a general claim that someone did wrong; does not require formal legal procedure
文法句型
a charge of [crime]
face a charge
bring charges against
drop charges
用法筆記
Subject is typically the police, a prosecutor, or the legal system itself. Common verb partners: 'face', 'bring', 'drop', 'press', 'deny', 'dismiss'. Unlike sense 3, this sense always involves a formal legal process.
常見錯誤
3. a claim that someone has done something wrong, made without necessarily having l
a claim that someone has done something wrong, made without necessarily having legal proof or a formal indictment
Ilan denied the charge that he had cheated during the exam.
deny the charge that [clause]
The newspaper published a charge of corruption against the mayor.
a charge of [misconduct]
Kian dismissed the charge as a misunderstanding between neighbours.
The principal faced a charge of unfair grading from angry parents.
Olivia made the charge that her colleague had taken credit for her work.
- allegation
a claim made without proof; slightly more formal than 'charge'
- claim
neutral; can be true or false, no legal nuance
- accusation
similar to 'charge' but does not imply formal procedure
文法句型
a charge that [clause]
deny a charge
a charge of [misconduct]
用法筆記
This sense does not require legal formality — it can be a public, professional, or personal claim. Unlike sense 2 (LEGAL ACCUSATION), it can take a that-clause. Distinguish from sense 2 by checking whether the context involves police or a court — if not, this sense is the correct choice.
常見錯誤
4. the position of having authority over or responsibility for a person, group, or
the position of having authority over or responsibility for a person, group, or activity
Who is in charge of the science project this semester?
in charge of [task/group]
Olivia took charge of the kitchen while the manager was away.
take charge of [place/activity]
The nurse in charge of the ward checked every patient before lunch.
Lien was put in charge of training the new team members.
The officer in charge of the case has twenty years of experience.
文法句型
in charge of
take charge of
be in charge
用法筆記
Most commonly appears in the fixed phrases 'in charge (of)' and 'take charge (of)'. No article is used before 'charge' in these expressions (❌ 'in the charge of'). The object after 'of' is the thing or person being supervised.
常見錯誤
5. a task or job that involves taking care of something or someone; a specific resp
a task or job that involves taking care of something or someone; a specific responsibility assigned to a person
Jack's main charge is to keep the laboratory equipment clean and safe.
main charge is to [verb]: specific duty
The social worker has the charge of checking on elderly residents every week.
have the charge of [gerund]
Andrés accepted the charge of organising the school festival.
Each nurse is given the charge of monitoring five patients overnight.
The committee gave Kasia the charge of arranging the end-of-year party.
- duty
a moral or legal obligation; stronger sense of requirement than 'charge'
- task
a specific piece of work to be done; more concrete
- responsibility
something you are expected to do; broader and more common than 'charge'
文法句型
the charge of [something]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 4 (IN CHARGE): sense 4 names the person's authority role, while sense 5 names the specific task or job itself. Often followed by 'of + noun/gerund'. Less common in everyday speech than 'responsibility' or 'duty'.
6. a person who is looked after by someone else, especially a child living with and
a person who is looked after by someone else, especially a child living with and supported by a parent or guardian
The school provides after-class care for the charges of working parents.
The orphanage looks after charges between the ages of three and twelve.
The court decided that the children were charges of the local government.
Grandparents often look after their charges while the parents work abroad.
The teacher treated each charge in her class with equal kindness.
用法筆記
More formal or legal in tone. In everyday conversation, 'dependent' or 'child' is more common. The person responsible for the charge is described in sense 4 (IN CHARGE).
7. a measured quantity of explosive material used to fire a weapon once, or to prod
a measured quantity of explosive material used to fire a weapon once, or to produce a single blast during mining or demolition
The demolition team placed a powerful charge inside the old building's walls.
charge + placed inside [location] — demolition context
Darius removed the charge from the shell before storing it safely in the shed.
A small charge of dynamite cleared the fallen rocks from the mountain road.
The soldier checked each charge in his ammunition belt before the mission began.
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' and the name of the explosive material (e.g., a charge of gunpowder). Countable only.
8. a sudden forward rush by soldiers, animals, or sports players to attack or reach
a sudden forward rush by soldiers, animals, or sports players to attack or reach a target
The general ordered a cavalry charge against the enemy's left flank.
military charge — ordered by commander
The angry bull elephant stopped mid-charge and turned away from the tourists.
The rugby player's powerful charge pushed three defenders out of the way.
Sora watched the buffalo charge from a safe distance behind the fence.
- retreat
backward movement away from the enemy
用法筆記
Commonly collocates with verbs like 'lead', 'order', 'make', and 'sound the charge'. The subject is typically a military commander, a herd of animals, or a sports player.
常見錯誤
9. a formal instruction or command given to a person or group, telling them what to
a formal instruction or command given to a person or group, telling them what to do or how to act
The judge gave the jury a charge explaining the legal rules for the case.
legal context: judge's charge to jury
The king issued a charge to his knights to defend the northern border.
formal command: charge + to-infinitive
Nellie read the manager's charge, which listed everything the team needed to complete.
The colonel's charge to the recruits was simple: follow orders without question.
- instruction
less authoritative; commonly used in workplace or educational settings
- command
more forceful; used in military or hierarchical contexts
- directive
formal; used in official or bureaucratic communication
文法句型
charge + to-infinitive
用法筆記
In legal contexts, 'charge' specifically refers to a judge's instructions to a jury about the law. In other formal settings, it means any official instruction or duty assigned to someone.
常見錯誤
10. the electrical energy stored in a battery or the electrical property of a substa
the electrical energy stored in a battery or the electrical property of a substance, which can be positive or negative
My phone battery still has enough charge to last through the evening.
battery charge remaining
In physics class, Beatriz learned how positive and negative charges attract each other.
positive / negative charge — physics concept
The car's battery lost its charge after the headlights were left on all night.
A static charge built up on the balloon after Gita rubbed it against her hair.
The battery in Asher's watch holds enough charge to run for two years.
- power
broader; refers to the ability to do work, not specifically electrical
- electricity
refers to the energy itself rather than a stored quantity
用法筆記
Uncountable when referring to the amount of stored energy ('enough charge', 'loses charge'). Countable when referring to a specific type or unit of electrical property ('a positive charge', 'electric charges').
11. the process of supplying electrical power to a battery or device so that it can
the process of supplying electrical power to a battery or device so that it can operate again
Cole left his laptop on charge overnight so it would be ready for work.
on charge — device receiving power
The battery indicator shows that the tablet is still on charge and not yet full.
Piotr put the electric scooter on charge after riding it to work every day.
Make sure the camera battery is on charge before you leave for the trip tomorrow.
- recharging
more explicit; usually implies restoring a depleted battery
用法筆記
Almost always used in the phrase 'on charge' or 'put on charge'. Not used as a standalone noun to describe the act of charging. Describes the state of receiving power, not the electricity itself.