Reading Theme:
Charge Meaning & Usage: Fee, Recharge, Accuse (5 meaning)
Meaning 1：a fee (charge)
charge
/tʃɑːrdʒ/
n./v.
The amount of money you have to pay for a product or service.
a fee
➕
/ə fiː/
n./v.
A sum of money demanded for a service or product; the price asked.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old French 'chargier', Latin 'carricare' (to load a cart), related to 'car'.
💡 Mnemonic
Charge your phone battery, and be in charge of your expenses.
📖 Example
There is no extra charge for the bread and water at this restaurant.
No extra payment is needed for the bread and water at this restaurant.
🔗 Collocations
free of charge – at no cost
service charge – a fee for service
cover charge – an admission fee
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
discount (n.) – A reduction from the usual price.
🌱 Derivatives
charger (n.) – A device that charges a battery or a person who charges.
chargeable (adj.) – Subject to a charge or fee.
overcharge (v.) – To charge too much money.
📖 Cultural Story
Originates from Latin 'carricare' (to load). Evolved to mean financial cost and legal accusation. Electrical sense emerged in 18th century.
Meaning 2：recharge (charge)
charge
/tʃɑːrdʒ/
n./v.
To put electrical energy into a battery so that a device can work.
recharge
➕
/riːˈtʃɑːrdʒ/
n./v.
To restore electrical energy to a battery or device so it can function again.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
My phone battery is almost dead; I need to charge it for an hour.
My phone battery is almost empty; I need to recharge it for one hour.
🔗 Collocations
fully charged – completely charged
battery charge – level of charge
charge cable – cable used for charging
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
discharge (v.) – To release stored energy or drain a battery.
🌱 Derivatives
rechargeable (adj.) – Capable of being recharged.
Meaning 3：be responsible for (charge)
charge
/tʃɑːrdʒ/
n./v.
To give someone the responsibility or duty of looking after something or someone.
be responsible for
➕
/biː rɪˈspɒnsəbəl fɔːr/
n./v.
To be given the task of taking care of something or someone; to have authority over.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
During the school trip, Mr. Chen will be in charge of our safety.
During the academic excursion, Mr. Chen will be responsible for ensuring our safety.
🔗 Collocations
in charge of – having control over
take charge – assume control
charge of – responsibility for
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
follow (v.) – To act under the direction of another.
🌱 Derivatives
in-charge (adj.) – Having the responsibility.
Meaning 4：accuse (charge)
charge
/tʃɑːrdʒ/
n./v.
To officially say that someone might have done something illegal.
accuse
➕
/əˈkjuːz/
n./v.
To formally state that someone has committed a crime, initiating legal proceedings.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The police decided to charge the driver with careless driving after the accident.
Law enforcement decided to formally accuse the driver of careless driving following the accident.
🔗 Collocations
charge with – accuse of
file charges – initiate a legal accusation
drop charges – withdraw an accusation
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
acquit (v.) – To free someone from a criminal charge.
🌱 Derivatives
chargesheet (n.) – A document listing official charges.
Meaning 5：rush forward (charge)
charge
/tʃɑːrdʒ/
n./v.
To rush forward quickly and with force, often in an attack or in sports.
rush forward
➕
/rʌʃ ˈfɔːrwərd/
n./v.
To move quickly and forcefully towards a target, often in sports or attack.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
In the final minute, the striker charged towards the goal and scored the winning point.
In the last minute, the forward attacker rushed toward the goal and netted the decisive point.
🔗 Collocations
charge ahead – move forward quickly
charge at – move aggressively towards
charge forward – advance rapidly
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
retreat (v.) – To move back from a position.
🌱 Derivatives
charger (n.) – A horse ridden in battle or a football player who charges.
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