impute

[ im-pyoot ]

verb (used with object)

, im·put·ed, im·put·ing.

1. to attribute or ascribe:

   The children imputed magical powers to the old woman.

2. to attribute or ascribe (something discreditable), as to a person.
3. Law. to ascribe to or charge (a person) with an act or quality because of the conduct of another over whom one has control or for whose acts or conduct one is responsible.
4. Theology. to attribute (righteousness, guilt, etc.) to a person or persons vicariously; ascribe as derived from another.
5. Obsolete. to charge (a person) with fault.

impute

/ ɪmˈpjuːt /

verb

1. to attribute or ascribe (something dishonest or dishonourable, esp a criminal offence) to a person
2. to attribute to a source or cause

   I impute your success to nepotism

3. commerce to give (a notional value) to goods or services when the real value is unknown

Derived Forms

• imˈputer, noun
• ˌimpuˈtation, noun
• imˈputative, adjective

Other Words From

• im·puta·ble adjective
• im·put·a·tive [im-, pyoo, -t, uh, -tiv], adjective
• im·puta·tive·ly adverb
• im·puta·tive·ness noun
• im·puted·ly adverb
• im·puter noun
• nonim·puta·ble adjective
• nonim·puta·ble·ness noun
• nonim·puta·bly adverb
• nonim·puta·tive adjective
• nonim·puta·tive·ly adverb
• nonim·puta·tive·ness noun
• unim·puta·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of impute¹

1325–75; Middle English imputen < Latin imputāre, equivalent to im- im- ¹ + putāre to assess, reckon, think; putative

Word History and Origins

Origin of impute¹

C14: from Latin imputāre, from im- + putāre to think, calculate

Synonym Study

See attribute.

Example Sentences

Justice Chandrachud said his comment on seeking divine guidance was because “I am a person of faith” and “to impute motives to judges is not right”.

From BBC

"If a family member endorses a publicly endorses a candidate for office, the code says it could be imputed to the judge," Alfini said.

From Salon

A public outcry ended both projects, but Mr. Goldman’s family secured the book rights, added material imputing guilt to Mr. Simpson and had it published.

From New York Times

“The opposing party has chosen instead to, No. 1, criticize, offer nothing, and No. 3, impute ill will to the process that we engaged in,” Kennedy said.

From Seattle Times

"The same applies to other executives in the Trump Organization because their knowledge can be imputed to the entity," Rahmani said.

From Salon

Related Words

• ascribe