First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1excuse
verb ex·cuse \ik-ˈskyüz, imperatively often ˈskyüz\
: to forgive someone for making a mistake, doing something wrong, etc.,
: to say that (someone) is not required to do something
: to allow (someone, such as a child) to leave
ex·cusedex·cus·ing
Full Definition of EXCUSE
transitive verb
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>
4
: to serve as excuse for : justify <nothing can excuse such neglect>
— ex·cus·able \ik-ˈskyü-zə-bəl\ adjective
— ex·cus·able·ness noun
— ex·cus·ably \-blē\ adverb
— ex·cus·er noun
See excuse defined for English-language learners
See excuse defined for kids
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Origin of EXCUSE
Middle English, from Anglo-French escuser, excuser, from Latin excusare, from ex- + causa cause, explanation
Related to EXCUSE
- Synonyms
- blink (at), brush (aside or off), condone, discount, disregard, forgive, gloss (over), gloze (over), ignore, overlook, overpass, paper over, pardon, pass over, remit, shrug off, whitewash, wink (at), close one's eyes to, forgive and forget
Synonym Discussion of EXCUSE
excuse, condone, pardon, forgive mean to exact neither punishment nor redress. excuse may refer to specific acts especially in social or conventional situations or the person responsible for these <excuse an interruption> <excused them for interrupting>. Often the term implies extenuating circumstances <injustice excuses strong responses>. condone implies that one overlooks without censure behavior (as dishonesty or violence) that involves a serious breach of a moral, ethical, or legal code, and the term may refer to the behavior or to the agent responsible for it <a society that condones alcohol but not narcotics>. pardon implies that one remits a penalty due for an admitted or established offense <pardon a criminal>. forgive implies that one gives up all claim to requital and to resentment or vengeful feelings <could not forgive their rudeness>.
2excuse
noun ex·cuse \ik-ˈskyüs\
: a reason that you give to explain a mistake, bad behavior, etc.
excuses : reasons that you give to explain politely why you cannot do something, why you have to leave, etc.
: something (such as a condition or set of conditions) that explains improper behavior and makes it acceptable
Full Definition of EXCUSE
1
: the act of excusing
2
a : something offered as justification or as grounds for being excused b plural : an expression of regret for failure to do something c : a note of explanation of an absence
3
See excuse defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of EXCUSE
14th century
Synonym Discussion of EXCUSE
apology, apologia, excuse, plea, pretext, alibi mean matter offered in explanation or defense. apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances <said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could>. apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position <his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy>. excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure <used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting>. plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy <her usual plea that she was nearsighted>. pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation <used any pretext to get out of work>. alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation <his alibi failed to stand scrutiny>.
Rhymes with EXCUSE
Aarhus, abstruse, abuse, adduce, Atreus, blue spruce, burnoose, caboose, Cayuse, Cepheus, ceruse, charmeuse, chartreuse, Chartreuse, conduce, couscous, cut loose, deduce, diffuse, disuse, educe, effuse, fair use, footloose, hang loose, induce, Lanús, misuse, mongoose, Morpheus, negus, obtuse, Orpheus, papoose, Peleus, Perseus, prepuce, produce, profuse, Proteus, Purus, recluse, red spruce, reduce, refuse, retuse, reuse, Sanctus, seduce, slip noose, snow goose, Tereus, Theseus, traduce, transduce, turn loose, unloose, vamoose
EXCUSES Defined for Kids
1excuse
verb ex·cuse \ik-ˈskyüz\
ex·cusedex·cus·ing
Definition of EXCUSE for Kids
1
: to make apology for <I excused myself for being late.>
2
: to overlook or pardon as of little importance <“You must excuse my gruff conduct,” the watchdog said … — Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth>
3
: to let off from doing something <He was excused from chores for a week.>
4
: to be an acceptable reason for <Nothing excuses bad manners.>
2excuse
noun ex·cuse \ik-ˈskyüs\
Definition of EXCUSE for Kids
1
: a reason given for having done something wrong <What's your excuse for being so late?>
2
: something that is an acceptable reason for or justifies <There is no excuse for bad behavior.>
3
: a reason for doing something <That's a good excuse for a party.>
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