1a reason or explanation given to justify a fault or offence:there can be no excuse for any further delaythe excuse that half the team failed to turn up
a reason put forward to conceal the real reason for an action; a pretext:as an excuse to get out of the house she went to post a letter
US a note written by a doctor or parent excusing a pupil from school.
2 (an excuse for) informal a poor or inadequate example of:that pathetic excuse for a man!
ზმნა
Universal
1seek to lessen the blame attaching to (a fault or offence); try to justify:he did nothing to hide or excuse Jacob’s cruelty
forgive (someone) for a fault or offence:you must excuse my brotherhe could be excused for feeling that he was born at the wrong time
overlook or make allowances for:sit down—excuse the mess
(of a fact) serve to mitigate (a person or act):his ability excuses most of his faults
2release (someone) from a duty or requirement:it will not be possible to excuse you from attendance [with two objects]:may I be excused hockey?
(used in polite formulas) allow (someone) to leave a room or gathering:and now, if you’ll excuse us, duty calls
(excuse oneself) say politely that one is leaving:I had to excuse myself and go out of the room
(be excused) (used by school pupils) be allowed to leave the room, especially to go to the toilet:please, Miss, can I be excused?
excuse me
used as a polite apology in various contexts, such as when attempting to get someone’s attention, asking someone to move so that one may pass, or interrupting a speaker.
North American used to ask someone to repeat what they have just said.
make one's excuses
say politely that one is leaving or cannot be present:Will made his excuses and retired to his room
