Phrase guide

not guilty

adj · noun · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Of a person, legally innocent of a crime which they have been accused of in a court of law.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: law

Examples

  • He was found not guilty because there was a reasonable doubt.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Innocent.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: nonstandard

Examples

  • The jury said he was not guilty. I knew he wouldn't have done something like that.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: blameless, offenceless, clean, clean-handed, clean as a hound's tooth, clean as a whistle, clear, dovelike, guiltless, innocent, innocent as the babe unborn, innocent as the child unborn, irreprehensible, nonblameworthy, not guilty, offenseless, pure, righteous, sackless, sinless, unblameable, unblameworthy, uncalculating, unguilty

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A formal plea by a defendant of not being culpable for the crime with which the defendant is charged.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: law

Examples

  • If you do not plead, a plea of not guilty will be entered for you.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: innocent

Antonyms: guilty

4

noun

Meaning 4

A verdict or formal finding by the legal system that a defendant is not culpable for the crime with which the defendant was charged.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: acquittal, exoneration, quittance, absolution, acquittance, acquitment, assoilment, compurgation, disculpation, exculpation, not guilty, vindication

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

A member of a jury or tribunal supporting acquittal, or a vote cast in support of acquittal.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

noun

Meaning 6

A person who has been acquitted of a crime.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

adjective satellite

Meaning 7

declared not guilty of a specific offense or crime; legally blameless

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he stands acquitted on all charges
  • the jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: acquitted

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: syytön — legally innocent of a crime of which one has been accused in a court of law
  • German: nicht schuldig — legally innocent of a crime of which one has been accused in a court of law
  • Greek: αθωωτικός (athootikós) — legally innocent of a crime of which one has been accused in a court of law
  • Hebrew: זַכַּאי (zakkáy) — legally innocent of a crime of which one has been accused in a court of law
  • Irish: neamhchiontach — legally innocent of a crime of which one has been accused in a court of law
  • Italian: incolpevole — legally innocent of a crime of which one has been accused in a court of law
  • Italian: inconfesso — legally innocent of a crime of which one has been accused in a court of law
  • Norman: non coupabl'ye — legally innocent of a crime of which one has been accused in a court of law
  • Polish: niewinny — legally innocent of a crime of which one has been accused in a court of law
  • Finnish: syyttömyys — plea of non-culpability
  • Russian: невино́вный (nevinóvnyj) — plea of non-culpability
  • Finnish: vapauttava päätös — verdict of non-culpability
  • Russian: невино́вный (nevinóvnyj) — verdict of non-culpability