excuse
noun
1. a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
- he kept finding excuses to stay
Similar word(s): alibi, exculpation
Definition categories: communication, defence, defense, vindication
2. a note explaining an absence
- he had to get his mother to write an excuse for him
Definition categories: communication, billet, line, note
3. a poor example
- a poor excuse for an automobile
Similar word(s): apology
Definition categories: thought, example, illustration, instance, representative
Sentences with excuse as a noun:
- Tell me why you were late – and I don't want to hear any excuses!
- That thing is a poor excuse for a gingerbread man. Hasn't anyone taught you how to bake?
- He's a sorry excuse of a doctor.
verb
1. accept an excuse for
- Please excuse my dirty hands
Similar word(s): pardon
Definition categories: communication, forgive
2. grant exemption or release to
- Please excuse me from this class
Similar word(s): exempt, relieve
Definition categories: communication, absolve, free
3. serve as a reason or cause or justification of
- Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work
Similar word(s): explain
Definition categories: communication, justify, vindicate
4. defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
Similar word(s): apologise, apologize, rationalise, rationalize
Definition categories: communication, defend, support
5. ask for permission to be released from an engagement
Definition categories: communication, bespeak, quest, request
6. excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with
- excuse someone's behavior
Similar word(s): condone
Definition categories: communication, forgive
Sentences with excuse as a verb:
- I excused him his transgressions.
- May I be excused from the table?
- I excused myself from the proceedings to think over what I'd heard.
- You know he shouldn't have done it, so don't try to excuse his behavior!