Excuse is a common English word with several related meanings. It can be a reason given to explain a mistake, a way to say you forgivestop feeling angry about an offense and not punish it or overlookchoose not to notice a fault or problem something, or a short note saying someone was absent. As a verb, it can also mean to allow someone not to do something, or to justifyshow that an action is right or acceptable behavior.
Excuse Meaning
a reason someone gives to explain or justify something bad, wrong, or inconvenient
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a reason or explanation given for a mistake, failure, or unwanted action
Example: He kept finding excuses to stay home.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- alibi — Works in the sense of a claimed explanation, especially to avoid blame.
- exculpation — Means an explanation that clears someone of blame; more formal than everyday excuse.
- self-justification — Directly matches this sense when someone explains their own behavior.
Other Meanings of Excuse
Meaning 2
to forgive or make allowances for something
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to overlook, pardon, or be lenient with someone or something
Example: Please excuse the mess.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- condone — Close in the sense of overlooking behavior, though often stronger and more judgmental.
Meaning 3
to ask to be allowed not to attend or take part
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to ask to be released from an engagement or duty
Example: She excused herself from the meeting.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- beg off — A good fit when someone asks not to do something they were expected to do.
Meaning 4
to be enough reason for something
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to serve as a reason or justification for something
Example: That does not excuse his late arrival.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- explain — Related, but not always a true substitute; excuse implies justification, not just explanation.
Meaning 5
to forgive someone for a fault or mistake
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to accept an excuse for someone or something; to pardon
Example: Please excuse my dirty hands.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- pardon — A strong synonym in this forgiving sense.
Meaning 6
to let someone off from a duty or obligation
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to grant exemption or release to someone
Example: Please excuse me from this class.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- exempt — Works when someone is officially released from a requirement.
- let off — Natural in everyday English when someone is not required to do something.
- relieve — Can work in the sense of freeing someone from a task or duty, though broader in usage.
Meaning 7
to make bad behavior seem acceptable
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to defend, explain, or rationalize behavior
Example: Nothing can excuse lying to your friends.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- apologise — Not a true synonym in every context, but can overlap when someone tries to soften blame by apologizing.
- apologize — Same as British spelling above; only partly overlaps.
- rationalise — A good match when someone explains away their own actions.
- rationalize — American spelling of rationalise.
Meaning 8
something very bad for its kind
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a poor or inadequate example of something
Example: That old truck is a poor excuse for a car.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- apology — Can mean a very bad or weak example in this sense, but it is old-fashioned and less common.
Meaning 9
a short note saying why someone was not present
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a note explaining that someone was absent
Example: She brought an excuse from her doctor for missing school.
Excuse Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- alibi
- self-justification
- pardon
- exempt
- let off
a poor or inadequate example of something
- apology
Common Mistakes
- Using excuse to mean the same as apology in every context.
- Mixing up the noun excuse meaning ‘reason’ with the verb excuse meaning ‘forgive’ or ‘release.’
- Assuming explain is always a synonym; it is often related but not interchangeable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does excuse mean as a noun?
As a noun, excuse usually means a reason someone gives to explain or justify a mistake, bad behavior, or failure to do something.
What does excuse mean as a verb?
As a verb, excuse can mean to forgive, allow someone to be absent, or make an action seem acceptable.
Is excuse the same as apology?
Not exactly. An apology is a statement of regret, while an excuse is usually a reason or explanation, often meant to reduce blame.
What is a good synonym for excuse?
For the main noun sense, good synonyms include alibi and self-justification. For the verb sense, pardon, exempt, or let off may fit depending on the context.