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 …

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 …

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 …

Excuse definition: To serve as justification for.

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.

Find all the synonyms and alternative words for excuse at Synonyms.com, the largest free online thesaurus, antonyms, definitions and translations resource on the web.

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.

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 …