Definition of Excuse
Noun: excuse ik'skyoos
- A defence of some offensive behaviour or some failure to keep a promise etc.
"he kept finding excuses to stay";
- alibi, exculpation, self-justification
- A note explaining an absence
"he had to get his mother to write an excuse for him"
- A poor example
"a poor excuse for an automobile";
- apology
- Accept an excuse for
"Please excuse my dirty hands";
- pardon
- Grant exemption or release to
"Please excuse me from this class";
- relieve, let off, exempt
- Serve as a reason, cause or justification of
"Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work";
- explain
- Defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
"excuse the child's seemingly crazy behaviour";
- apologize, apologise [Brit], justify, rationalize, rationalise [Brit]
- Ask for permission to be released from an engagement
- beg off
- Excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with
"excuse someone's behaviour";
- condone
See also:
excusatory
excused
Anagrams containing the word excuse