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   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. People also ask

   What does it mean if a person is excused?

   • She excused herself and left the meeting early. [usually passive] excuse somebody (from something/from doing something) excuse somebody something to allow someone to not do something that they should normally do She was excused from giving evidence because of her age.

   excuse verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/american_english/excuse_2

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   What is excuse noun?

   • Definition of excuse noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary a reason, either true or invented, that you give to explain or defend your behavior Late again!

   excuse noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/american_english/excuse_1

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   How do you say Excuse in a sentence?

   • The verb is pronounced (ɪkskjuːz ). An excuse is a reason which you give in order to explain why something has been done or has not been done, or in order to avoid doing something. Once I had had a baby I had the perfect excuse to stay at home.

   EXCUSE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/excuse

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   What is an example of an excuse?

   • to forgive someone for something that they have done, for example not being polite or making a small mistake excuse something Please excuse the mess. excuse somebody You must excuse my father—he's not always that rude. excuse somebody for something/for doing something I hope you'll excuse me for being so late.

   excuse verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/american_english/excuse_2

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3. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › excuse_1excuse noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › excuse_1

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   Check pronunciation: excuse. Definition of excuse noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

4. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishEXCUSE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

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   3 days ago · An excuse is a reason which you give in order to explain why something has been done or has not been done, or to avoid doing something. I made an excuse and ran towards the door. American English : excuse / ɪkskyˈus /

5. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › excuse_2excuse verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › excuse_2

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   used to say sorry for pushing someone or doing something wrong Oh, excuse me. I didn't see you there. Definition of excuse verb in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

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

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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.

7. dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › excuseEXCUSE | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › excuse

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

8. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › excusedExcused Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › excused

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   1. a. : to make apology for. b. : to try to remove blame from. 2. : to forgive entirely or disregard as of trivial import : regard as excusable. graciously excused his tardiness. 3. a. : to grant exemption or release to. was excused from jury duty. b. : to allow to leave. excused the class.

9. dictionary.cambridge.org › excuseEXCUSE definition | Cambridge Essential English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › excuse

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   Definition of excuse in Essential British English Dictionary. excuse. verb. uk/ɪkˈskjuːz/ excusing | excused. Add to word listAdd to word list. B1. to forgive someone for something that is not very serious: Please excuse my appearance, I’ve been painting. to say that someone does not have to do something: