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: to regard or judge with forgiveness or indulgence; pardon or forgive; overlook (a fault, error, etc.).

An excuse is a reason that you give in order to explain why something has been done or has not been done, or in order to avoid doing something. It is easy to find excuses for his …

When I asked him why he was late, he gave me some excuse about having car trouble. Whenever I ask him why his homework's late, he just comes out with the same old excuses.

excuse a reason, either true or invented, that you give to explain or defend your behavior; a good reason that you give for doing something that you want to do for other reasons: Late again! …

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 excused: Ignorance of the law is no excuse.

1. to pardon or forgive: he always excuses her unpunctuality.

Dec 14, 2025 · We often say to make an excuse. (explanation designed to avoid or alleviate guilt or negative judgment): pretext release, clear, justify, forgive, tolerate, overlook, exempt, …

b excuses [plural] : reasons that you give to explain politely why you cannot do something, why you have to leave, etc.

Excuse definition: To serve as justification for.