noun
false accusation; unfounded suspicion; groundless charge
Refers to being wrongly suspected or accused of something one did not do. Often used in the phrase 濡れ衣を着せる (to falsely accuse someone).
彼は濡れ衣を着せられて、会社を辞めさせられた。
He was falsely accused and forced to resign from the company.
それは全くの濡れ衣だ。
That's a completely groundless charge.
noun
wet clothes
Original, literal meaning of 'wet clothes'. Rarely used in modern Japanese except in historical or literary contexts; the figurative sense is dominant.
古典では「濡れ衣」を文字通り濡れた衣服の意味で使うことがある。
In classical texts, 濡れ衣 is sometimes used literally to mean wet clothes.
Irregular okurigana usage; less common but still encountered.
Search-only kanji form; not a standard spelling.
冤罪 is a more formal, legal term for a false conviction or miscarriage of justice, while 濡れ衣 is a common, everyday expression for a false accusation or suspicion.
Originally referred to wet clothes, but the figurative meaning of 'false accusation' is now dominant. The exact origin of the figurative sense is uncertain; it may derive from the idea of being 'soaked' in an undeserved blame.