ex·cuse ( k-sky z )tr.v. ex·cused, ex·cus·ing, ex·cus·es 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. n. ( Idiom: k-skys)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. Excuse me 1. Used to acknowledge and ask forgiveness for an action that could cause offense. 2. Used to request that a statement be repeated. [Middle English excusen, from Old French excuser, from Latin exc  s re : ex-, ex- + causa, accusation; see cause.]ex·cus a·ble adj.ex·cus a·ble·ness n.ex·cus a·bly adv.ex·cus er n. |
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