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1. Dictionary

   Ex·cuse

   verb

   • 1. attempt to lessen the blame attaching to (a fault or offense); seek to defend or justify: "he did nothing to hide or excuse Jacob's cruelty" Similar justifydefendmake excuses formake a case forexplain (away)rationalizecondonevindicatewarrantmitigatepalliateapologize forforgiveoverlookdisregardignorepass overturn a blind eye toturn a deaf ear towink atblink atindulgetoleratesanctionrare:extenuateOpposite condemn
   • ▪ forgive (someone) for a fault or offense: "you must excuse my sister" Similar forgivepardonabsolveexonerateacquitmake allowances forinformal:let someone off (the hook)rare:exculpateOpposite punishblame
   • ▪ overlook or forgive (a fault or offense): "sit down—excuse the mess"
   • ▪ (of a fact or circumstance) serve in mitigation of (a person or act): "his ability excuses most of his faults"
   • 2. release (someone) from a duty or requirement: "it will not be possible to excuse you from jury duty" Similar let offreleaserelieveexemptspareabsolvefreeliberaterare:dispenseOpposite hold to
   • ▪ (used in polite formulas) allow (someone) to leave a room or gathering: "now, if you'll excuse us, we have to be getting along"
   • ▪ say politely that one is leaving: "I had to excuse myself and go out of the room"
   • ▪ (used especially by school pupils) be allowed to leave the room, especially to go to the bathroom: "please, can I be excused?"

   noun

   • 1. a reason or explanation put forward to defend or justify a fault or offense: "there can be no possible excuse for any further delay" Similar justificationdefensereasonexplanationmitigating circumstancesmitigationextenuationpalliationvindicationgroundscausebasiscallargumentapologyapologiaplea
   • ▪ a reason put forward to conceal the real reason for an action; a pretext: "when the rain started he used it as an excuse to leave early." Similar pretextostensible reasonpretensefrontcover-upfabricationevasioninformal:storyalibilinecop-outget-out
   • 2. a poor or inadequate example of: informal "that pathetic excuse for a man!" Similar travesty ofapology forpoor specimen ofpitiful example ofmockery ofpale shadow ofpoor imitation of

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French escuser (verb), from Latin excusare ‘to free from blame’, from ex- ‘out’ + causa ‘accusation, cause’.

   Scrabble Points: 15

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2. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › excuseExcuse - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › excuse

   An excuse is an explanation for something that went wrong. When we give an excuse, we're trying to get someone to cut us some slack.

3. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishexcuse noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   excuse for something There's no excuse for such behaviour. excuse for doing something His excuse for forgetting her birthday was that he had lost his diary. You don't have to make excuses for her (= try to think of reasons for her behaviour). It's late. I'm afraid I'll have to make my excuses (= say I'm sorry, give my reasons and leave).

4. www.thefreedictionary.com › excuseExcuse - definition of excuse by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › excuse

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   Define excuse. excuse synonyms, excuse pronunciation, excuse translation, English dictionary definition of excuse. ) tr.v. ex·cused, ex·cus·ing, ex·cus·es 1. a. To make allowance for; overlook or forgive: Please excuse the interruption. b. To grant pardon to; forgive: We...

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › excuses&EXCUSE Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › excuses&

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   Excuse definition: to regard or judge with forgiveness or indulgence; pardon or forgive; overlook (a fault, error, etc.). See examples of EXCUSE used in a sentence.

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishEXCUSE | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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   EXCUSE definition: 1. to forgive someone for something that is not very serious: 2. to say that someone does not have…. Learn more.

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionaryEXCUSE definition in American English | Collins English ...

   www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionary

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   May 6, 2024 · excuse in American English. (ɛkˈskjuz ; ɪkˈskjuz ; for n., ɛkˈskjus ) verb transitive Word forms: exˈcused or exˈcusing. 1. to try to free (a person) of blame; seek to exonerate. 2. to try to minimize or pardon (a fault); apologize or give reasons for. 3. to consider (an offense or fault) as not important; overlook; pardon.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_englishexcuse noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

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   1 a reason, either true or invented, that you give to explain or defend your behavior Late again! What's your excuse this time? excuse (for something) There's no excuse for such behavior. excuse (for doing something) His excuse for forgetting her birthday was that he had lost his calendar. You don't have to make excuses for her (= try to think of reasons for her behavior).