excuse
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: excuses · excusing · excused
Sense 1
To forgive; to pardon; to overlook.
Verb
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
To allow to leave, or release from any obligation.
Verb
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
An explanation designed to avoid or alleviate guilt or negative judgment; a plea offered in extenuation of a fault.
Một lời giải thích để tránh hoặc giảm bớt cảm giác tội lỗi hoặc phán xét tiêu cực
Machine-translated — suggest a fix
Noun
Examples
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 4
A defense to a criminal or civil charge wherein the accused party admits to doing acts for which legal consequences would normally be appropriate, but asserts that special circumstances relieve that party of culpability for having done those acts.
Một biện pháp bảo vệ trước một cáo buộc hình sự hoặc dân sự
Machine-translated — suggest a fix
Noun
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “excuse” mean?
To forgive; to pardon; to overlook.
Is “excuse” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.