Definition of 'excuse'

Noun

1. 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"
      Synonyms: alibi exculpation self-justification
2. a note explaining an absence; "he had to get his mother to write an excuse for him"
3. a poor example; "it was an apology for a meal"; "a poor excuse for an automobile"
      Synonyms: apology

Verb

1. accept an excuse for; "Please excuse my dirty hands"
      Synonyms: pardon
2. grant exemption or release to; "Please excuse me from this class"
      Synonyms: relieve let off exempt
3. 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"
      Synonyms: explain
4. defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning; "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success"
      Synonyms: apologize apologise justify rationalize rationalise
5. ask for permission to be released from an engagement
      Synonyms: beg off
6. excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with; "excuse someone's behavior"; "She condoned her husband's occasional infidelities"
      Synonyms: condone

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