excuse meaning and definition

EXCUSE noun

Definition of excuse (noun)

1. a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
   • "he kept finding excuses to stay"; "every day he had a new alibi for not getting a job"; "his transparent self-justification was unacceptable"
   • synonyms: alibi, exculpation, self-justification
2. a note explaining an absence
   • "he had to get his mother to write an excuse for him"
3. a poor example
   • "it was an apology for a meal"; "a poor excuse for an automobile"
   • synonyms: apology

EXCUSE verb

Definition of excuse (verb)

1. accept an excuse for
   • "Please excuse my dirty hands"
   • synonyms: pardon
2. grant exemption or release to
   • "Please excuse me from this class"
   • synonyms: exempt, let off, relieve
3. serve as a reason or cause or justification of
   • "Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work"; "Her recent divorce may explain her reluctance to date again"
   • synonyms: explain
4. defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
   • "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success"
   • synonyms: apologise, apologize, justify, rationalise, rationalize
5. ask for permission to be released from an engagement
   • synonyms: beg off
6. excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with
   • "excuse someone's behavior"; "She condoned her husband's occasional infidelities"
   • synonyms: condone