English dictionary
excuse
nounPronunciation
ɪkˈskjuːz
Parts of speech
Definitions
noun
- a poor example
noun
- a note explaining an absence
noun
- a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
verb
- excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with
verb
- serve as a reason or cause or justification of
verb
- grant exemption or release to
verb
- ask for permission to be released from an engagement
verb
- defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
verb
- accept an excuse for
Example sentences
it was an apology for a meal
a poor excuse for an automobile
he had to get his mother to write an excuse for him
he kept finding excuses to stay
every day he had a new alibi for not getting a job
his transparent self-justification was unacceptable
excuse someone's behavior
She condoned her husband's occasional infidelities
Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work
Her recent divorce may explain her reluctance to date again
Please excuse me from this class
rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior
he rationalized his lack of success
Please excuse my dirty hands