English dictionary
excuse meaning and definition
Definition and meaning of excuse at MeaningMonkey.org. excuse meaning and definition in the English Dictionary.EXCUSE noun
Definition of excuse (noun)
- 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
- a note explaining an absence
- "he had to get his mother to write an excuse for him"
- a poor example
- "it was an apology for a meal"; "a poor excuse for an automobile"
- synonyms: apology
EXCUSE verb
Definition of excuse (verb)
- accept an excuse for
- "Please excuse my dirty hands"
- synonyms: pardon
- grant exemption or release to
- 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
- 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
- ask for permission to be released from an engagement
- synonyms: beg off
- excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with
- "excuse someone's behavior"; "She condoned her husband's occasional infidelities"
- synonyms: condone
Source: Princeton University Wordnet