excuse
🇺🇸
/ɪkˈskjuːs/
🇬🇧
/ɪkˈskjuːs/
noun
B2
A reason, true or not, to explain or defend your actions.
His excuse for being late was that his car broke down.
B2
A reason you give for doing something you want to do.
He needed an excuse to skip the boring meeting.
R
A very poor example of something.
That's a terrible excuse for a meal.
R
A note explaining why someone cannot attend school or work.
She wrote an excuse for her son's absence from school.
verb
B2
To forgive someone for a small mistake or rudeness.
Please excuse my messy handwriting.
B2
To make bad behavior seem less wrong by giving reasons.
You cannot excuse his rude behavior with any excuse.
R
To allow someone to leave politely.
She excused herself from the table to take a phone call.
R
To allow someone not to do something they normally should.
The teacher excused him from homework due to illness.
translation
A reason, true or not, to explain or defend your actions.; A reason you give for doing something you want to do.; A very poor example of something.; A note explaining why someone cannot attend school or work.
To forgive someone for a small mistake or rudeness.; To make bad behavior seem less wrong by giving reasons.; To allow someone to leave politely.; To allow someone not to do something they normally should.
Word Forms
3rd Present
excuses
Progressive
excusing
Past
excused
Plural
excuses
Perfect
excused