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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.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › excuseExcuse Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › excuse

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   Learn the meaning, synonyms, examples, and history of the word excuse as a verb and a noun. Find out how to use excuse in different contexts and situations, such as apologizing, justifying, or granting exemption.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishEXCUSE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   Learn the meaning of excuse as a verb and a noun, with synonyms, antonyms, and idioms. See how to use excuse in different contexts, such as apologizing, explaining, or avoiding something.

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

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › excuse

   1. /ɛkˈskjus/ a defense of some offensive behavior. 2. /ɪkˈskjuz/ accept as a reason or cause or justification of. IPA guide. Other forms: excused; excuses; excusing. 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.

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › excuseEXCUSE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › excuse

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

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation, and usage of the word excuse as a noun and a verb. Find out the synonyms, collocations, and idioms related to excuse in British and American English.

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

   www.thefreedictionary.com › excuse

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation, and examples of the word excuse as a verb and a noun. Find out how to use excuse in different contexts, such as apologizing, justifying, or exempting, and see related terms and idioms.

8. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › excuseexcuse | meaning of excuse in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary...

   www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › excuse

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   Learn the meaning and usage of the word excuse as a verb, noun, and adjective. Find out how to use excuse in different contexts, such as apologizing, forgiving, explaining, or avoiding something.