Excuse | Mean of excuse in English Dictionary

/ɪkˈskjuːz/

• Verb
• to forgive someone for making a mistake, doing something wrong, etc.,
1. Please excuse [=pardon] my clumsiness.
2. His boss excused the mistake but told him to be more careful next time.
3. Please excuse me for not calling sooner.
• to say that (someone) is not required to do something
1. I was excused from jury duty.
2. The teacher excused the class from homework that day.
• to allow (someone, such as a child) to leave
1. I've finished my dinner. May I (please) be excused? [=allowed to leave the dinner table]

• to be an acceptable reason for (something)
1. Nothing can excuse that kind of rudeness.
2. Her father's illness excused her absence.
• to say politely that you have to leave
1. Excusing himself, he quickly rose from the table and left the room.
• Noun
• a reason that you give to explain a mistake, bad behavior, etc.
1. What's your excuse for being so late?
2. She had no valid excuse for not finishing her homework.
3. He's always making excuses for himself.
4. a lame/flimsy excuse
• reasons that you give to explain politely why you cannot do something, why you have to leave, etc.
1. I won't be able to come to the wedding. Please give my excuses to your cousin. [=please tell your cousin that I'm sorry I won't be able to come]
2. I made my excuses and left.
• something (such as a condition or set of conditions) that explains improper behavior and makes it acceptable
1. There is no excuse for child abuse.
2. His youth is no excuse for his irresponsible behavior.
• a reason for doing something
1. His birthday gives us a good excuse for a party.
2. She'll use any excuse [=pretext] to wallow in self-pity.
• a poor example
1. He's a poor/sad excuse for a father. [=he's a bad father]
2. That pile of junk is a sorry excuse for a car!