apologya‧pol‧o‧gy /əˈpɒlədʒi $ əˈpɑː-/ ●●● S3 noun (plural apologies) 
The minister had to issue a formal public apology for his remarks.apology from She finally received an apology from the company.apology to an apology to passengers for any inconvenience caused2apologies [plural] a message that you send to a meeting to say that you will not be able to come to the meeting: Edward can’t be here today, but he sends his apologies.3make your apologies to say that you are sorry but you have to leave: I quickly made my apologies and left.4make no apology for something to not say that you are sorry for something, because you do not regret it and you think it is the right thing to do: We make no apology for defending our members’ interests – that is our job.5[countable] literary a statement in which you defend something you believe in after it has been criticized by other peopleapology for an apology for Christianity6an apology for something a very bad example of something: They served us up an apology for a meal.COLLOCATIONSverbsmake an apology· I hope you are going to make an apology.issue an apology (=make an official public apology)· North Korea issued an official apology for the incident.get/receive an apology· He received a formal apology from the company.offer an apology· We would like to offer our sincere apologies for the delay.accept somebody’s apology· Please accept my apologies for having to cancel our meeting.demand an apology· China continued to demand a full apology from the US.owe somebody an apology· I’m afraid I owe you an apology.publish an apology (=print it in a newspaper)· The newspaper group was forced to publish a full apology.mumble/mutter an apology (=say it quietly, especially because you are embarrassed)· He bumped into me and mumbled an apology.adjectivesmy sincere/profound apologies (=used when you feel very sorry)· Firstly, my sincere apologies for not having contacted you earlier.· ‘I have been guilty of making some insensitive remarks,’ said Wright, who offered his profound apologies to everyone concerned.a public apology· The authorities published a public apology in the newspaper.a formal apology· Russia is demanding a formal apology.an official apology· The company has made an official apology and is offering compensation.a written apology· The police sent a written apology to the family.a full apology· The prime minister made a full apology in the House of Commons.an abject apology formal (=one that shows that you are very sorry)· The BBC issued an abject apology for insulting the Queen.profuse apologies formal (=when someone says that they are sorry several times)· Moira telephoned with profuse apologies for the misunderstanding.phrasesa letter of apology· We agreed to write a letter of apology.
WORD ORIGINapology
Origin:
1500-1600 Late Latin apologia ‘written or spoken defense’, from Greek, from apo- ( ➔ APOCALYPSE) + logos ‘speech’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- As he reflected on his appalling behaviour, he mentally composed a letter of apology to his host.
- Blake was wrongfully arrested and is now demanding an apology from the police.
- I never thought she'd get the job. I guess I owe her an apology.
- In a written apology, the BBC admitted they had misled the public.
- Please accept our apologies for taking so long to deliver the materials you requested.
- The story was full of lies, and the paper had to print an apology.
- A bad apology will erode intimacy.
- Across the room Linda was repeating her apologies, Oliver hovering in the background.
- Gates praised the report, but made no apology for the aggressive style and reputation of his force.
- He had forgotten to tell the cook to save some food for us, but he did not offer an apology.
- Probably there was an apology in it, Jasper offered.
- The Earl's descendant accepted the apologies of Hampden's heir.
- The first time Stepmother Edna hit me I was convinced it was a mistake and waited dumbly for an apology.
- Until an apology was forthcoming, he was damned if he was going to get in touch with her.
Longman Language Activatorto tell someone that you are sorry you did something
to tell someone you are sorry that you have upset them or done something that causes problems for them: · Sometimes it's not easy to say you are sorry.say you are sorry (that): · She finally arrived, and said she was sorry we had been kept waiting.
especially spoken to tell someone that you are sorry you have upset them or done something bad: · She says she won't see him again unless he says sorry.say sorry to: · Go and say sorry to your mother, Andrew.say sorry for (doing) something: · I don't think I should say sorry for doing what at the time I believed to be right.
also apologise British to tell someone that you are sorry, especially in a formal situation or when you do not know the person well: · I don't know why I apologized, because I didn't do anything wrong.apologize for: · I must apologize for my son's behaviour -- he isn't usually this moody.apologize for doing something: · The bank wrote to apologise for overcharging me.apologize to: · The US has apologized to Britain for the accident that cost nine British lives.apologize profusely (=apologize very much): · She rushed into the hotel, apologizing profusely for being so late.
to keep saying you are sorry because you feel guilty or embarrassed about something you have done: · The manager was apologetic, but said that Sue would have to contact head office if she wanted a refund.be apologetic about: · He was most apologetic about not being able to come to the party.
something that you say or write to tell someone that you are sorry: · The story was full of lies, and the paper had to print an apology.· In a written apology, the BBC admitted they had misled the public.accept somebody's apology/apologies formal: · Please accept our apologies for taking so long to deliver the materials you requested.owe somebody an apology: · I never thought she'd get the job. I guess I owe her an apology.demand an apology: · Blake was wrongfully arrested and is now demanding an apology from the police.letter of apology: · As he reflected on his appalling behaviour, he mentally composed a letter of apology to his host.
what you say to tell someone that you are sorry spoken say this to tell someone you are sorry that you upset them or caused problems for them; you can also say this as a polite way of excusing yourself for a small mistake: · I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude.· Sorry, did I step on your foot?I'm very/really/terribly sorry: · I'm really sorry, Joanna. I've broken one of your glasses.sorry/I'm sorry (that): · I'm sorry that I shouted at you.· Sorry we're late, Shelley.sorry/I'm sorry about: · Sorry about all the noise.sorry/I'm sorry to do something: · I'm sorry to bother you, but I need to discuss my essay.sorry/I'm sorry for (doing something): · I'm sorry for barging in without ringing the bell.
especially American, spoken say this to tell someone you are sorry because you accidentally touched them or made a small or embarrassing mistake: · Oh, excuse me, is that your bag I just stood on?· Excuse me - I didn't realize there was anyone in here.
formal spoken say this when you make a small mistake and you want to say sorry politely: · "That's my pen." "Oh, I beg your pardon - I thought it was mine.''
also I apologise British say this to apologize in a fairly formal way, for example when you have upset someone or done something wrong or unfair: · You were right and I was wrong. I apologize.· I apologize in advance if anyone's offended by this.I apologize for: · I apologise for writing to you like this, out of the blue.
say this when you have done something that you later find out to be wrong or unfair: · It seems I owe you an apology -- I was supposed to phone you on Saturday night.I owe you an apology for (doing something): · I think I owe you an apology for my behaviour the other night.
say this when you have done something wrong or have upset someone, or when you are going to say or ask something that might seem rude or offensive: · Forgive me, I didn't mean to offend you.forgive me for doing something: · Forgive me for asking, but how old are you?· Forgive me for saying this, but you really don't look well at all.
used in formal letters: · Please accept my apologies. I will be taking steps to ensure this does not happen again.please accept my apologies for: · Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience this error has caused.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs He made profuse apologies. Please accept my sincere apologies.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· I hope you are going to make an apology.
(=make an official public apology)· North Korea issued an official apology for the incident.
· He received a formal apology from the company.
· We would like to offer our sincere apologies for the delay.
· Please accept my apologies for having to cancel our meeting.
· China continued to demand a full apology from the US.
· I’m afraid I owe you an apology.
(=print it in a newspaper)· The newspaper group was forced to publish a full apology.
(=say it quietly, especially because you are embarrassed)· He bumped into me and mumbled an apology.
adjectives (=used when you feel very sorry)· Firstly, my sincere apologies for not having contacted you earlier.· ‘I have been guilty of making some insensitive remarks,’ said Wright, who offered his profound apologies to everyone concerned.
· The authorities published a public apology in the newspaper.
· Russia is demanding a formal apology.
· The company has made an official apology and is offering compensation.
· The police sent a written apology to the family.
· The prime minister made a full apology in the House of Commons.
formal (=one that shows that you are very sorry)· The BBC issued an abject apology for insulting the Queen.
formal (=when someone says that they are sorry several times)· Moira telephoned with profuse apologies for the misunderstanding.
phrases· We agreed to write a letter of apology.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He made profuse apologies. Please accept my sincere apologies.· The next stage in that process has been a Gracious Speech full of apologies.· They're urging the editors to publish a full apology.· There may well be all sorts of contributory factors which need stating but these ought to come after the full apology.· When mistakes are made a full apology is often less damaging than a grudging admission that events have not gone as planned.
· The following day, Moira telephoned the Daily Telegraph with profuse apologies for the misunderstanding.· Our profuse apologies go out to both gentlemen.
· A public apology defames the author of the article apologised for by suggesting that the author has written carelessly.· The familiar Maxwell reach for a libel writ brought about an immediate public apology.
· Firstly, my sincere apologies for not having contacted you earlier about your proposal.· To any readers who feel hard done by or annoyed please accept my sincere apologies.
· A written apology was received from a boy who had accidentally, while playing badminton, caused damage to a picture.· Blackburn sent a written apology to the umpire in question and has since apologised personally to him.
VERB· And the woman, believed to be a pretty mum in her twenties, has accepted his apology.· I want to say I do accept his apology.· And I've accepted your apology.· Again, please accept our apologies.· Please accept our apologies if any event or occasion was overlooked.· Please accept our apologies for taking so long to send the materials that you requested.· Of course we accept his apologies with every grace.
· The commander wrote to the editor, demanding an apology.· In Iowa Friday, Forbes challenged the ad as untrue and demanded an apology from the Dole campaign.
· Should not the Minister give mineworkers an apology?· I give my apologies for not being able to be present myself.· I will try to simplify the argument - and give my apologies to those who think I have overdone it.· She gave me her apologies earlier for being unable to be here for this stage of the debate.
· On Monday, Stanford athletic director Ted Leland issued the written apology in response to numerous complaints about the performance.
· I make no apology for the title of this chapter because it was an expression which my cousins used very frequently.· They get to the airport at the last minute and make no apologies.· I make no real apology for such academicism but 1 will offer an explanation.· Bertrand makes no apologies for using hefty incentives, such as the recruitment rebates, to line up new distributors.· And last night he made no apologies for the controversial remarks in this week's edition of the magazine.· Our subsequent telephone conversation was a study in plain language, but McFarlane held his ground and made no apologies.
· Ryder wheeled into step with Hooper and offered him the apology.· He had forgotten to tell the cook to save some food for us, but he did not offer an apology.· Does he feel like offering a similar apology?· Fern ndez offered no apologies or confession of errors.· It was enough that he should have taken the trouble to visit her and offer his apologies.· Next time you communicate with your friend, express deep remorse and offer a groveling apology.· He asked me to find you and to offer you his apologies and regrets.· Needless to say though she left the studio offering no apologies, no thanks, no farewells.
· I think you owe an apology to Clegg.· I think these people who said those hateful things about him owe him an apology.· You owe him an apology for misjudging him and suspecting his motives at every turn.· In light of this, do you feel you owe the world an apology?· You are owed an apology also.· I guess I owe her an apology.· Proponents of such a view owe us an apology for three avoidable Tory victories.· Did she really owe him an apology?
· A POLL-TAX payer has received an apology from Middlesbrough Council after an unexpected visit by the bailiffs.· Brosnan said he did not receive an apology from the band.· I called again on Tuesday and received an apology from a senior sales rep.· Normally, any ordinary citizen subject to dropped charges would receive a stony-faced apology and the opportunity to leave via the public foyer.
· Patients who've complained about the long wait have been sent letters of apology.· Rodman sent a letter of apology.· Blackburn sent a written apology to the umpire in question and has since apologised personally to him.· We spoke with her, and she sends her apologies and assures us that she will not use that tone again.· Should I have sent an apology?· The Ashleys sent their apologies, along with Moira Braybrooke and the oldest and the youngest company employees.· Fred Cox and Les Thomas sent their apologies.· Beryl sends her apologies - she forgot to give me your message.
· This will involve some such task as giving an explanation of difficulties, requesting clarification, writing an apology, etc.· On Monday, Stanford athletic director Ted Leland issued the written apology in response to numerous complaints about the performance.· Each agreed to write a letter of apology and pay a $ 500 fine.· Steve immediately sent Alice and her friend $ 50 gift certificates and long written apologies.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► apologies► make no apology for somethingPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► my humble apologies► present your apologies/compliments etc
1[countable, uncountable] something that you say or write to show that you are sorry for doing something wrongapology for- A taxi brought us to a boarding house she knew, and we're shown into an apology for a bedroom.
- Dear Maggie, I feel I owe you an apology for abandoning your esteemed Victorian values.
- Proponents of such a view owe us an apology for three avoidable Tory victories.
- Rawls's work is an apology for the weak, atomistic and relativistic culture which we see all around us.
- Then he gave a little nod, an apology for interrupting, and leaned the bike against the back porch.
- Thornton included an apology for Blake's designs.
- Yet again, it is an apology for failure.
- You owe him an apology for misjudging him and suspecting his motives at every turn.
- Bodie hesitated only briefly before making his apologies and walking away.
- It might be wisest to make her apologies and go home.
- At the same time I felt I was owed an explanation.
- At the very least a clear case is owed a clear explanation if it is rejected.
- I guess I owe her an apology.
- I think these people who said those hateful things about him owe him an apology.
- I think you owe an apology to Clegg.
- In light of this, do you feel you owe the world an apology?
- Of course, a decision not to have children is a legitimate choice, and whoever makes it owes no explanation.
- You owe him an apology for misjudging him and suspecting his motives at every turn.
The minister had to issue a formal public apology for his remarks.apology from She finally received an apology from the company.apology to an apology to passengers for any inconvenience caused2apologies [plural] a message that you send to a meeting to say that you will not be able to come to the meeting: Edward can’t be here today, but he sends his apologies.3make your apologies to say that you are sorry but you have to leave: I quickly made my apologies and left.4make no apology for something to not say that you are sorry for something, because you do not regret it and you think it is the right thing to do: We make no apology for defending our members’ interests – that is our job.5[countable] literary a statement in which you defend something you believe in after it has been criticized by other peopleapology for an apology for Christianity6an apology for something a very bad example of something: They served us up an apology for a meal.COLLOCATIONSverbsmake an apology· I hope you are going to make an apology.issue an apology (=make an official public apology)· North Korea issued an official apology for the incident.get/receive an apology· He received a formal apology from the company.offer an apology· We would like to offer our sincere apologies for the delay.accept somebody’s apology· Please accept my apologies for having to cancel our meeting.demand an apology· China continued to demand a full apology from the US.owe somebody an apology· I’m afraid I owe you an apology.publish an apology (=print it in a newspaper)· The newspaper group was forced to publish a full apology.mumble/mutter an apology (=say it quietly, especially because you are embarrassed)· He bumped into me and mumbled an apology.adjectivesmy sincere/profound apologies (=used when you feel very sorry)· Firstly, my sincere apologies for not having contacted you earlier.· ‘I have been guilty of making some insensitive remarks,’ said Wright, who offered his profound apologies to everyone concerned.a public apology· The authorities published a public apology in the newspaper.a formal apology· Russia is demanding a formal apology.an official apology· The company has made an official apology and is offering compensation.a written apology· The police sent a written apology to the family.a full apology· The prime minister made a full apology in the House of Commons.an abject apology formal (=one that shows that you are very sorry)· The BBC issued an abject apology for insulting the Queen.profuse apologies formal (=when someone says that they are sorry several times)· Moira telephoned with profuse apologies for the misunderstanding.phrasesa letter of apology· We agreed to write a letter of apology.