English dictionary



Hint: Question mark (?) is a wildcard. Question mark substitutes one character.

English noun: excuse

1. excuse (communication) a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.


SamplesHe kept finding excuses to stay.
Every day he had a new alibi for not getting a job.
His transparent self-justification was unacceptable.


Synonymsalibi, exculpation, self-justification


Broader (hypernym)defence, defense, vindication


Narrower (hyponym)extenuation, mitigation

2. excuse (communication) a note explaining an absence


SamplesHe had to get his mother to write an excuse for him.


Broader (hypernym)billet, line, note, short letter

3. excuse (cognition) a poor example


SamplesIt was an apology for a meal.
A poor excuse for an automobile.


Synonymsapology


Broader (hypernym)example, illustration, instance, representative


English verb: excuse

1. excuse (communication) accept an excuse for


SamplesPlease excuse my dirty hands.


Synonymspardon


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)forgive

2. excuse (communication) grant exemption or release to


SamplesPlease excuse me from this class.


ExamplesSam cannot excuse Sue


Synonymsexempt, let off, relieve


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody.
Somebody ----s somebody PP


Broader (hypernym)absolve, free, justify


Narrower (hyponym)frank

3. excuse (communication) serve as a reason or cause or justification of


SamplesYour need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work.
Her recent divorce may explain her reluctance to date again.


Synonymsexplain


Pattern of useSomething ----s something


Broader (hypernym)justify, vindicate


Narrower (hyponym)alibi

4. excuse (communication) defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning


SamplesRationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior.
He rationalized his lack of success.


Synonymsapologise, apologize, justify, rationalise, rationalize


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)defend, fend for, support


Narrower (hyponym)color, colour, extenuate, gloss, mitigate, palliate, plead

5. excuse (communication) ask for permission to be released from an engagement


Synonymsbeg off


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)bespeak, call for, quest, request

6. excuse (communication) excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with


SamplesExcuse someone's behavior.
She condoned her husband's occasional infidelities.


Synonymscondone


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)forgive









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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