What does excuse mean?
An excuse is a reason or explanation offered to justify a fault, delay, or shortcoming, typically with the aim of reducing blame or avoiding punishment. It can be genuine — illness, an emergency, circumstances genuinely beyond one's control — or merely a pretext, a thin story constructed to dodge responsibility. English distinguishes sharply between a valid reason and a flimsy excuse, and calling something 'an excuse' often implies scepticism about its sincerity. As a verb, to excuse is to forgive or overlook a fault, or to release someone from a duty: a student may be excused from class, and a minor lapse may be excused on grounds of inexperience. The word pervades everyday politeness ('excuse me') as well as formal and legal language ('excused absence'). Derived forms include the adjective 'inexcusable' for conduct beyond forgiveness, underscoring how central the concept of justified fault is to social life.
A reason or explanation put forward to justify a fault, offence, or failure, or to obtain exemption from a task or obligation.
"Her excuse for missing the meeting was that her flight had been cancelled."
Often used pejoratively when the reason is considered weak or evasive; contrasted informally with a genuine 'reason'.
To forgive or overlook a fault or wrongdoing, or to release someone from a duty, obligation, or attendance.
"The teacher excused him from homework for the rest of the week."
Regular plural; commonly used in phrases such as 'a catalogue of excuses' or 'making excuses'.
"The committee has heard enough excuses; it wants results."
Every time you say "excuse me," you're literally asking someone to be freed from blame — the word carries fifteen centuries of Roman legal Latin inside it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of excuse
"Excuse" derives from the Latin verb "excusare", formed from "ex-" (out of) and "causa" (cause, charge, or accusation), originally meaning to free someone from blame or charges. It entered English via Anglo-Norman and Old French in the medieval period, appearing in English texts by the thirteenth century. The same Latin root "causa" gave English related words including "accuse", "because", and "recuse", all of which retain a connection to blame, cause, or legal proceedings.
Related word forms
How excuse is actually used
As a noun, excuse is neutral in formal contexts but often carries a negative connotation when the reason is seen as weak or evasive ('mere excuses' versus genuine 'reasons'). The verb 'to excuse' ranges from everyday politeness ('excuse me') to formal usage in legal and institutional settings ('excused absence', 'excused from jury duty'). Pronunciation differs by part of speech: the noun ends in /s/ while the verb ends in /z/.
Easily confused with excuse
"Excess" means an amount that is more than necessary, while "excuse" refers to a justification or pardon; the two share a similar opening but are unrelated in meaning.