noun |
adj |
verb |
adv |
(noun) apology
a poor example
it was an apology for a meal; a poor excuse for an automobile
(noun) alibi, self-justification, exculpation
a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
he kept finding excuses to stay; every day he had a new alibi for not getting a job; his transparent self-justification was unacceptable
(verb) condone
excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with
excuse someone's behavior; She condoned her husband's occasional infidelities
(verb) explain
serve as a reason or cause or justification of
Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work; Her recent divorce may explain her reluctance to date again
(verb) exempt, relieve, let off
grant exemption or release to
Please excuse me from this class
(verb) beg off
ask for permission to be released from an engagement
(verb) rationalise, rationalize, justify, apologise, apologize
defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior; he rationalized his lack of success
(verb) pardon
accept an excuse for
Please excuse my dirty hands