B1noun1K

Charge

UK /["/tʃɑːdʒ/"]/US /["/tʃɑːrdʒ/"]/

Definition

the amount of money that somebody asks for goods and services

In simple words: To request payment for something.

Examples

  • I need to charge my phone because the battery is low.
  • The charge for the concert tickets was quite reasonable.
  • He was surprised by the charge on his credit card statement.
  • The electric vehicle can charge in less than an hour at a fast station.
  • The company will have to answer for the environmental charge against them.
  • The student organization decided to charge a fee for membership.
  • The dog began to charge at the stranger, barking loudly.
  • She felt a rush of charge when she received the award.

Usage notes

Used in contexts related to billing or pricing services. Can be formal in business and informal when referring to casual payments between friends. Avoid in situations where a more specific term is appropriate.

Grammar pattern

charge + object

Memory hint

Think of a battery charger; it 'charges' devices, just like a company charges you money.

Collocations

  • heavy
  • high
  • nominal
  • impose
  • introduce
  • levy
  • at a charge
  • for a charge
  • charge for
  • free of charge
  • overall
  • personal
  • sole
  • have
  • take
  • place somebody in
  • in charge (of somebody/​something)
  • in somebody’s charge
  • under somebody’s charge
  • grave
  • heavy
  • serious
  • bring
  • file
  • lay
  • allege something
  • sheet
  • on a/​the charge
  • without charge
  • charge against
  • bring charges (against somebody)
  • prefer charges (against somebody)
  • press charges (against somebody)
  • grave
  • heavy
  • serious
  • bring
  • file
  • lay
  • allege something
  • sheet
  • on a/​the charge
  • without charge
  • charge against
  • bring charges (against somebody)
  • prefer charges (against somebody)
  • press charges (against somebody)
  • baton
  • cavalry
  • lead

Synonyms

  • allegation

Antonyms

  • credit
  • refund

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'charges' when referring to multiple items.
  • Using 'charge' as a noun incorrectly in casual conversations instead of using 'billing'.
  • Mistaking 'charge' for 'change' in payment contexts.