Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense excuses, present participle excusing, past tense, past participle excusedpronunciation note: The noun is pronounced (ɪkskjuːs). The verb is pronounced (ɪkskjuːz).
1. countable noun [oft NOUN to-infinitive]
An excuse is a reason which you give in order to explain why something has been done or has not been done, or in order to avoid doing something.
It is easy to find excuses for his indecisiveness. [+ for]
Once I had had a baby I had the perfect excuse to stay at home.
If you stop making excuses and do it you'll wonder what took you so long.
See no excuse
2. verb
To excuse someone or excuse their behaviour means to provide reasons for their actions, especially when other people disapprove of these actions.
He excused himself by saying he was 'forced to rob to maintain my wife and cat'. [V n + by]
That doesn't excuse my mother's behaviour. [VERB noun]
3. verb
If you excuse someone for something wrong that they have done, you forgive them for it.
Many people might have excused them for shirking some of their responsibilities. [VERB noun + for]
4. verb [usually passive]
If someone is excusedfrom a duty or responsibility, they are told that they do not have to carry it out.
She is usually excused from her duties during the school holidays. [beVERB-ed + from]
She was excused duties on Saturday. [beVERB-ed noun]
Synonyms: free, relieve, liberate, exempt More Synonyms of excuse
5. verb
If you excuseyourself, you use a phrase such as 'Excuse me' as a polite way of saying that you are about to leave.
He excused himself and went up to his room. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
6.
See excuse me
7.
See excuse me
8.
See excuse me
9.
See excuse me
10.
See excuse me
11.
See excuse me
12.
See excuse me
More Synonyms of excuse
excuse in British English
verb (ɪkˈskjuːz)(transitive)
1.
to pardon or forgive
he always excuses her tardiness
2.
to seek pardon or exemption for (a person, esp oneself)
to excuse oneself for one's mistakes
3.
to make allowances for; judge leniently
to excuse someone's ignorance
4.
to serve as an apology or explanation for; vindicate or justify
her age excuses her behaviour
5.
to exempt from a task, obligation, etc
you are excused making breakfast
6.
to dismiss or allow to leave
he asked them to excuse him
7.
to seek permission for (someone, esp oneself) to leave
she excused herself and left
8. be excused
9. excuse me!
noun (ɪkˈskjuːs)
10.
an explanation offered in defence of some fault or offensive behaviour or as a reason for not fulfilling an obligation, etc
he gave no excuse for his rudeness
11. informal
an inferior example of something specified; makeshift; substitute
a poor excuse for a hotel
12.
the act of excusing
Derived forms
excusable (exˈcusable)
adjective
excusableness (exˈcusableness)
noun
excusably (exˈcusably)
adverb
Word origin
C13: from Latin excusāre, from ex-1 + -cūsare, from causa cause, accusation
excuse in American English
(ɛkˈskjuz; ɪkˈskjuz; for n., ɛkˈskjus)
verb transitiveWord forms: exˈcused or exˈcusing
1.
to try to free (a person) of blame; seek to exonerate
2.
to try to minimize or pardon (a fault); apologize or give reasons for
3.
to consider (an offense or fault) as not important; overlook; pardon
excuse my rudeness
4.
to release from an obligation, duty, promise, etc.
5.
to permit to leave
6.
to serve as an explanation or justification for; justify; exculpate; absolve
a selfish act that nothing will excuse
noun
7.
a plea in defense of or explanation for some action or behavior; apology
8.
a release from obligation, duty, etc.
9.
something that excuses; extenuating or justifying factor
10.
a pretended reason for conduct; pretext
Idioms:
a poor excuse for
excuse oneself
make one's excuses
Word origin
ME excusen < OFr escuser & L excusare, to free from a charge < L ex-, from + causa, a charge: see cause
COBUILD Collocations
excuse
convenient excuse
feeble excuse
lame excuse
pathetic excuse
perfect excuse
reasonable excuse
valid excuse
Examples of 'excuse' in a sentence
excuse
Are they really a poor excuse for exercise?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Talk about getting your excuses in early.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
We will not ignore or excuse behaviour that does not reflect our values.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Sometimes cancer is too easy an excuse to not go out.
The Sun (2017)
If he gets away with what he said it gives people excuses in the future to bring up this example.
The Sun (2016)
Hey, it gives me an excuse to go and buy new shoes.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Whether excuse or explanation, neither is valid.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Don't find an excuse and fight.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
From bombers to blazers and faux fur to denim, the new season is the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a new cover-up.
The Sun (2016)
She is a poor excuse of a mother.
The Sun (2014)
It is a good idea to make your excuses and leave.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
That sounds like a good excuse to us!
The Sun (2012)
Some of the excuses given by players have not been great.
The Sun (2010)
There is always an excuse to avoid doing the right thing.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We have no excuse for abandoning people when they are at their most vulnerable.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Seeing the difference between explanations and excuses helps you to get home plans moving.
The Sun (2014)
We can try to make various excuses for their behaviour.
Arthur Herman THE SCOTTISH ENLIGHTENMENT: The Scots' Invention of the Modern World (2002)
Your mind is sharp so you see the difference between reasons and excuses.
The Sun (2009)
To blame the media is an easy excuse.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Writers have the perfect excuse when they get stuck.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There is a malign intellectual subculture that seeks to excuse savagery by denying the facts.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Sounds like the rapper is finding an excuse to pay the clubs more visits.
The Sun (2012)
He said that he would accept no excuses for poor performance.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He made a poor joke or two and an excuse to leave.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
So many people have easily given me that excuse.
The Sun (2011)
He does not seek to make excuses or avoid responsibility for his actions.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This gives you a wonderful excuse to meet people and explore new options.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Proper explanations replace excuses and this is a plus for home plans.
The Sun (2013)
They refused to explain or excuse themselves, or their name.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We should worry more about this excuse of a Government for allowing it.
The Sun (2014)
Quotations
Two wrongs don't make a right, but they make a good excuseThomas SzaszThe Second Sin
And oftentimes excusing of a fault Doth make the fault the worser by th'excuseWilliam ShakespeareKing John
Several excuses are always less convincing than oneAldous HuxleyPoint Counter Point
A real failure does not need an excuse. It is an end in itselfGertrude SteinFour in America
In other languages
excuse
British English: excuse /ɪkˈskjuːs/ NOUN
An excuse is a reason which you give in order to explain why something has been done or has not been done, or to avoid doing something.
I made an excuse and ran towards the door.
American English: excuse
Arabic: عُذْر
Brazilian Portuguese: desculpa
Chinese: 借口
Croatian: isprika
Czech: výmluva
Danish: undskyldning
Dutch: excuus
European Spanish: excusa
Finnish: selitys tekosyy
French: excuse
German: Entschuldigung
Greek: δικαιολογία
Italian: scusa
Japanese: 弁解
Korean: 변명
Norwegian: unnskyldning
Polish: usprawiedliwienie
European Portuguese: desculpa
Romanian: scuză
Russian: оправдание
Latin American Spanish: excusa
Swedish: ursäkt
Thai: ข้อแก้ตัว
Turkish: özür
Ukrainian: виправдання
Vietnamese: lý do bào chữa
British English: excuse /ɪkˈskjuːz/ VERB
To excuse someone or to excuse their behaviour means to provide reasons for their actions, especially when other people disapprove of these actions.
That doesn't excuse my mother's behaviour.
American English: excuse
Arabic: يَعْذِرُ
Brazilian Portuguese: desculpar
Chinese: 原谅
Croatian: ispričati
Czech: omluvit
Danish: undskylde
Dutch: excuseren
European Spanish: disculpar
Finnish: puolustella
French: excuser
German: entschuldigen
Greek: δικαιολογώ
Italian: scusare
Japanese: 弁解する
Korean: 변명하다
Norwegian: unnskylde
Polish: usprawiedliwić
European Portuguese: desculpar
Romanian: a scuza
Russian: извинять
Latin American Spanish: disculpar
Swedish: ursäkta
Thai: แก้ตัว
Turkish: özür beyan etmek
Ukrainian: вибачати
Vietnamese: biện minh
All related terms of 'excuse'
excuse me!
You say ' Excuse me ' when you want to politely get someone's attention, especially when you are about to ask them a question .
no excuse
If you say that there is no excuse for something, you are emphasizing that it should not happen , or expressing disapproval that it has happened.
lame excuse
An excuse is a reason which you give in order to explain why something has been done or has not been done, or in order to avoid doing something.
feeble excuse
An excuse is a reason which you give in order to explain why something has been done or has not been done, or in order to avoid doing something.
valid excuse
An excuse is a reason which you give in order to explain why something has been done or has not been done, or in order to avoid doing something.
excuse oneself
to ask that one's fault be overlooked ; apologize
pathetic excuse
An excuse is a reason which you give in order to explain why something has been done or has not been done, or in order to avoid doing something.
perfect excuse
An excuse is a reason which you give in order to explain why something has been done or has not been done, or in order to avoid doing something.
convenient excuse
An excuse is a reason which you give in order to explain why something has been done or has not been done, or in order to avoid doing something.
reasonable excuse
An excuse is a reason which you give in order to explain why something has been done or has not been done, or in order to avoid doing something.
a poor excuse for
a very inferior example of
Chinese translation of 'excuse'
excuse
(nɪksˈkjuːs; vbɪksˈkjuːz)
n(c/u)
(= justification) 借口 (jièkǒu) (个(個), gè)
vt
(= justify)[person, behaviour]是 ... 的正当(當)理由 (shì ... de zhèngdàng lǐyóu)
(= forgive)[person, behaviour]原谅(諒) (yuánliàng)
an excuse to do/not to do sth做/不做某事的借口 (zuò/bùzuò mǒushì de jièkǒu)
to make an excuse找借口 (zhǎo jièkǒu)
to make excuses for sb给(給)某人找借口 (gěi mǒurén zhǎo jièkǒu)
there's no excuse for such behaviour没(沒)有理由这(這)样(樣)表现(現) (méiyǒu líyóu zhèyàng biǎoxiàn)
to be excused from (doing) sth被免除(做)某事 (bèi miǎnchú (zuò) mǒushì)
to excuse sb for sth/for doing sth原谅(諒)某人某事/做某事 (yuánliàng mǒurén mǒushì/zuò mǒushì)
to put forward a reason or justification for (an action, fault, or offending person)
I know you're upset but that doesn't excuse your behaviour.
Synonyms
justify
This decision was fully justified by economic conditions.
explain
defend
vindicate
The director said he had been vindicated by the expert's report.
condone
I couldn't condone what she was doing.
mitigate
apologize for
make excuses for
Opposites
accuse
,
blame
,
correct
,
condemn
,
punish
,
compel
,
oblige
,
criticize
,
censure
,
hold responsible
,
chastise
,
chasten
,
point a or the finger at
2 (verb)
Definition
to pardon (a person) or overlook (a fault)
Please excuse me for my late arrival.
Synonyms
forgive
She'll understand and forgive you.
pardon
Hundreds of political prisoners were pardoned and released.
overlook
He never overlooked his employees' faults.
tolerate
I will not tolerate breaches of the code of conduct.
indulge
acquit
He was acquitted of disorderly behaviour by magistrates.
pass over
turn a blind eye to
exonerate
The official report exonerated the school of any blame.
absolve
bear with
wink at
make allowances for
extenuate
exculpate
3 (verb)
Definition
to free (someone) from having to carry out a task, obligation, etc.
She was excused from her duties for the day.
Synonyms
free
It will free us of a whole lot of debt.
relieve
He felt relieved of a burden.
liberate
How committed is the leadership to liberating its people from poverty?
exempt
Companies with fewer than 55 employees would be exempted from these requirements.
release
He wants to be released from any promise between us.
spare
`Spare me!' he cowered.
discharge
You are being discharged on medical grounds.
let off
absolve
The judicial inquiry absolved the soldiers.
Opposites
charge
,
sentence
, convict,
indict
,
arraign
1 (noun)
Definition
an explanation offered to justify an action which has been criticized or as a reason for not fulfilling an obligation, etc.
There is no excuse for what he did.
Synonyms
justification
I knew there was no justification for what I was doing.
reason
I hope you have a good reason for your behaviour.
explanation
The president has given no explanation for his behaviour.
defence
a spirited defence of the government's economic progress
grounds
plea
Evidence is being invoked in support of pleas of diminished responsibility.
apology
pretext
vindication
He called the success a vindication of his party's economic policy.
mitigation
In mitigation, the offences were at the lower end of the scale.
mitigating circumstances
extenuation
Opposites
charge
,
accusation
,
indictment
,
imputation
2 (noun)
Definition
an explanation offered to justify an action which has been criticized or as a reason for not fulfilling an obligation, etc.
It was just an excuse to get out of going to school.
Synonyms
pretext
They wanted a pretext to restart the war.
He excused himself on the pretext of a stomach ache.
evasion
They face accusations from the Opposition Party of evasion and cover-up.
pretence
He claimed the police beat him up under the pretence that he was resisting arrest.
cover-up
expedient
get-out
cop-out (slang)
She said she was too upset to talk, but that was just a cop-out.
subterfuge
Most people can see right through that type of subterfuge.
3 (noun)
(informal)
He is a pathetic excuse for a scientist.
Synonyms
poor substitute
apology
We received a letter of apology.
mockery
travesty
If he couldn't prepare his case properly the trial would be a travesty.
phrase
See excuse me
Quotations
Two wrongs don't make a right, but they make a good excuse [Thomas Szasz – The Second Sin]And oftentimes excusing of a fault Doth make the fault the worser by th'excuse [William Shakespeare – King John]Several excuses are always less convincing than one [Aldous Huxley – Point Counter Point]A real failure does not need an excuse. It is an end in itself [Gertrude Stein – Four in America]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of absolve
Definition
to declare to be free from blame or sin
The judicial inquiry absolved the soldiers.
Synonyms
excuse,
free,
clear,
release,
deliver,
loose,
forgive,
discharge,
liberate,
pardon,
exempt,
acquit,
vindicate,
remit,
let off,
set free,
exonerate,
exculpate,
shrive
in the sense of acquit
Definition
to pronounce someone not guilty
He was acquitted of disorderly behaviour by magistrates.