What does "excuse" mean?
An explanation designed to avoid or alleviate guilt or negative judgment; a plea offered in extenuation of a fault.
Excuse
/ɪksˈkjuz/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An explanation designed to avoid or alleviate guilt or negative judgment; a plea offered in extenuation of a fault.
- Grammar: excuse is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: alibi, abject apology, absence note, absents.
- Useful contrasts: attend, attendance, condemn.
- Usage evidence: Excuse me; allow me to point out three errors in the above article.
How to use "excuse"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "excuse" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "excuse" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "excuse" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "excuse" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "excuse" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "alibi" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "excuse", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An explanation designed to avoid or alleviate guilt or negative judgment; a plea offered in extenuation of a fault. countable, uncountable
"Tell me why you were late – and I don't want to hear any excuses!"
- 2 a poor example wordnet
- 3 A defense to a criminal or civil charge wherein the accused party admits to doing acts for which legal consequences would normally be appropriate, but asserts that special circumstances relieve that party of culpability for having done those acts. countable, uncountable
- 4 a note explaining an absence wordnet
- 5 An example of something that is substandard or of inferior quality. countable, often, uncountable
"That thing is a poor excuse for a gingerbread man. Hasn't anyone taught you how to bake?"
Show 1 more definition
- 6 a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc. wordnet
Verb
- 1 To forgive; to pardon; to overlook. transitive
"I excused him his transgressions."
- 2 excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with wordnet
- 3 To allow to leave, or release from any obligation. transitive
"May I be excused from the table?"
- 4 serve as a reason or cause or justification of wordnet
- 5 To provide an excuse for; to justify. transitive
"You know he shouldn't have done it, so don't try to excuse his behavior!"
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 grant exemption or release to wordnet
- 7 To relieve of an imputation by apology or defense; to make apology for as not seriously evil; to ask pardon or indulgence for.
"Agayne / thynke ye that we excuſe oure ſelves? we ſpeake in Chriſt in the ſight of God. But we do all thyngꝭ dearly beloved for youre edifyinge."
- 8 ask for permission to be released from an engagement wordnet
- 9 defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning wordnet
- 10 accept an excuse for wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Excuse me; allow me to point out three errors in the above article."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "excuse"?
Common synonyms include: alibi, abject apology, absence note, absents, absolution, absolve.
How do you use "excuse" in a sentence?
Excuse me; allow me to point out three errors in the above article.
How do you pronounce "excuse"?
Pronounced /ɪksˈkjuz/.
Etymology
From Middle English excusen (verb) and excuse (noun), borrowed from Old French escuser (verb) and excuse (noun), from Latin excūsō, excūsāre (“to excuse, allege in excuse, literally, free from a charge”), from ex (“out”) + causa (“a charge”); see cause, accuse and recuse. Displaced native Old English lād (“an excuse”) and lādian (“to excuse”).