excuse

(ĭk-skyo͞ozˈ)

1. a. To explain (a fault or an offense) in the hope of being forgiven or understood: He arrived late and excused his tardiness in a flimsy manner.
   b. To apologize for (oneself) for an act that could cause offense: She excused herself for being late.
2. a. To grant pardon to; forgive: We quickly excused the latecomer.
   b. To make allowance for; overlook: Readers must excuse the author's youth and inexperience. See Synonyms at forgive.
3. To serve as justification for: Brilliance does not excuse bad manners.
4. To free, as from an obligation or duty; exempt: In my state, physicians and lawyers are excused from jury duty.
5. To give permission to leave; release: The child ate quickly and asked to be excused.

1. An explanation offered to justify or obtain forgiveness.
2. A reason or grounds for excusing: Ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law.
3. The act of excusing.
4. A note explaining an absence.
5. Informal An inferior example: a poor excuse for a poet; a sorry excuse for a car.

Related Forms:

• ex·cusˈa·ble adjective

• ex·cusˈa·ble·ness noun

• ex·cusˈa·bly adverb

• ex·cusˈer noun