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: 1. to forgive someone or something: 2. to allow someone not to do or attend something when they…. Learn more.

People often say Excuse me as a way of politely apologizing for something they are going to do. For example, you can say Excuse me when you are interrupting someone, when you want to get their …

Excuse definition: To serve as justification for.

Jan 3, 2026 · excuse (countable and uncountable, plural excuses) (countable, uncountable) An explanation designed to avoid or alleviate guilt or negative judgment; a plea offered in extenuation of …

to release from an obligation, responsibility, or duty: to be excused from jury duty. 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 …

Excuse, forgive, pardon imply being lenient or giving up the wish to punish. Excuse means to overlook some (usually) slight offense: to excuse bad manners. Forgive is applied to excusing more serious …