excuse may refer to specific acts especially in social or conventional situations or the person responsible for these. Often the term implies extenuating circumstances.

EXCUSE definition: 1. to forgive someone or something: 2. to allow someone not to do or attend something when they…. Learn more.

People often say Excuse me as a way of politely apologizing for something they are going to do. For example, you can say Excuse me when you are interrupting someone, when you want to get their …

Definition of excuse noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. a reason, either true or invented, that you give to explain or defend your behaviour. Late again! What's your excuse this …

to release from an obligation, responsibility, or duty: to be excused from jury duty. an instance or act of excusing: I don't want to hear any more of your excuses. a ground or reason for excusing or being …

EXCUSE definition: to regard or judge with forgiveness or indulgence; pardon or forgive; overlook (a fault, error, etc.). See examples of excuse used in a sentence.

Feb 10, 2026 · excuse (countable and uncountable, plural excuses) (countable, uncountable) An explanation designed to avoid or alleviate guilt or negative judgment; a plea offered in extenuation of …

Excuse definition: To serve as justification for.

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.

• I'm sorry, but that explanation doesn't excuse what he did. excuse somebody for (doing) something • No excuses were offered for a lacklustre performance on Saturday.