excuse

Pronunciation

verb

• enPR: ĭkskyo͞oz'
• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ɪkˈskjuːz/ or /ɛksˈkjuːz/, SAMPA: /Iks"kju:z/ or /Eks"kju:z/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ɪksˈkjuz/, SAMPA: /Eks"kjuz/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

noun

• enPR: ĭkskyo͞os'
• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ɪkˈskjuːs/ or /ɛksˈkjuːs/, SAMPA: /Iks"kju:s/ or /Eks"kju:s/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ɪksˈkjus/, SAMPA: /Eks"kjus/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Verb

Plain form excuse

Third-person singular excuses

Past tense excused

Past participle excused

Present participle excusing

1. (transitive) You say, "excuse me" when you have done something rude,
2. (transitive) You say, "excuse me" when you want to get someone's attention.
3. (transitive) You say, "excuse me" when you want somebody to move.
4. (transitive) You say, "excuse me" when you didn't hear somebody very well and you want them to repeat themselves.
5. (transitive) If you excuse someone, you forgive them.
6. (transitive) If you excuse someone, you allow them to avoid doing something.

Synonyms

• sorry
• pardon
• forgive

Noun

Singular excuse

Plural excuses

1. An excuse is a reason for not doing something or for doing something bad.

   There is no excuse for hitting your sister.

   Do you have an excuse for being late?