Excuse | Mean of excuse in English Dictionary
/ɪkˈskjuːz/
- Verb
- to forgive someone for making a mistake, doing something wrong, etc.,
- Please excuse [=pardon] my clumsiness.
- His boss excused the mistake but told him to be more careful next time.
- Please excuse me for not calling sooner.
- to say that (someone) is not required to do something
- I was excused from jury duty.
- The teacher excused the class from homework that day.
- to allow (someone, such as a child) to leave
- I've finished my dinner. May I (please) be excused? [=allowed to leave the dinner table]
- to be an acceptable reason for (something)
- Nothing can excuse that kind of rudeness.
- Her father's illness excused her absence.
- to say politely that you have to leave
- 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.
- What's your excuse for being so late?
- She had no valid excuse for not finishing her homework.
- He's always making excuses for himself.
- a lame/flimsy excuse
- reasons that you give to explain politely why you cannot do something, why you have to leave, etc.
- 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]
- I made my excuses and left.
- something (such as a condition or set of conditions) that explains improper behavior and makes it acceptable
- There is no excuse for child abuse.
- His youth is no excuse for his irresponsible behavior.
- a reason for doing something
- His birthday gives us a good excuse for a party.
- She'll use any excuse [=pretext] to wallow in self-pity.
- a poor example
- He's a poor/sad excuse for a father. [=he's a bad father]
- That pile of junk is a sorry excuse for a car!