Excuse Definition
ĭk-skyo͝oz
excused, excuses, excusing
verb
excused, excuses, excusing
To try to free (a person) of blame; seek to exonerate.
Webster's New World
To consider (an offense or fault) as not important; overlook; pardon.
Excuse my rudeness.
Webster's New World
To grant pardon to; forgive.
We quickly excused the latecomer.
American Heritage
To apologize for (oneself) for an act that could cause offense.
She excused herself for being late.
American Heritage
To try to minimize or pardon (a fault); apologize or give reasons for.
Webster's New World
noun
excuses
A plea in defense of or explanation for some action or behavior; apology.
Webster's New World
An explanation offered to justify or obtain forgiveness.
American Heritage
A release from obligation, duty, etc.
Webster's New World
A pretended reason for conduct; pretext.
Webster's New World
The act of excusing.
American Heritage
idiom
Excuse me
- Used to acknowledge and ask forgiveness for an action that could cause offense.
- Used to request that a statement be repeated.
American Heritage
a poor excuse for
- a very inferior example of
Webster's New World
excuse me
- I am sorry; pardon me
- please repeat or clarify what you just said
Webster's New World
excuse oneself
- to ask that one's fault be overlooked; apologize
- to ask for permission to leave
Webster's New World
make one's excuses
- to express one's regret over not being able to attend a social gathering, etc.
Webster's New World
Origin of Excuse
-
From Middle English excusen, from Old French escuser, from Latin excūsō (“to excuse, allege in excuse, literally, free from a charge”), from ex (“out”) + causa (“a charge”); see cause and accuse.
From Wiktionary
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Middle English excusen from Old French excuser from Latin excūsāre ex- ex- causa accusation cause
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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