First Known Use: 1533
Dictionary
apology
noun apol·o·gy \ə-ˈpä-lə-jē\
: a statement saying that you are sorry about something : an expression of regret for having done or said something wrong
apologies : an expression of regret for not being able to do something
: something that is said or written to defend something that other people criticize
plural apol·o·gies
Full Definition of APOLOGY
2
: an admission of error or discourtesy accompanied by an expression of regret <a public apology>
3
: a poor substitute : makeshift
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Origin of APOLOGY
Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French apologie, from Late Latin apologia, from Greek, from apo- + logos speech — more at legend
Synonym Discussion of APOLOGY
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 APOLOGY
andrology, anthology, astrology, biology, bryology, cetology, Christology, chronology, conchology, cosmology, cryptology, cytology, dendrology, doxology, ecology, enology, ethnology, ethology, fetology, garbology, gemology, geology, graphology, haplology, histology, homology, horology, hydrology, hymnology, Indology, limnology, lithology, mixology, morphology, mycology, myology, mythology, necrology, nephrology, neurology, nosology, oncology, ontology, oology, pathology, pedology, penology, petrology, phlebology, phonology, phrenology, phycology, proctology, psychology, scatology, seismology, serology, sexology, sinology, symbology, tautology, technology, tetralogy, theology, topology, trichology, typology, ufology, urology, virology, zoology
APOLOGY Defined for Kids
apology
noun apol·o·gy \ə-ˈpä-lə-jē\
plural apol·o·gies
Definition of APOLOGY for Kids
: an expression of regret for having done or said something wrong
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