What does pardon mean?
Pardon means to forgive an offence or wrongdoing, and it can also refer to the formal cancellation of a punishment. As a verb, it is used when someone is forgiven, whether by a private person, a court, or a head of state. As a noun, a pardon is an act of forgiveness, mercy, or clemency, especially one granted by an official authority. The word has a formal and elevated tone: people may pardon a mistake, while governments or courts may pardon an offender or cancel a sentence. In everyday conversation, "pardon me" is a polite way to say "excuse me" or to ask someone to repeat what they said. Although pardon is closely associated with mercy, it does not necessarily imply that the underlying act never happened; a legal pardon may forgive the offender without removing the record of the conviction. The word is consequently useful both for describing personal forgiveness and for discussing justice, punishment, and mercy.
To forgive someone for an offence or wrongdoing, especially by officially cancelling a punishment or sentence.
"The court refused to pardon the defendant but did reduce his sentence."
The verb is formal in both personal and legal contexts. In legal usage, it can mean to forgive an offender, cancel a sentence, or commute a punishment.
An act of forgiveness or mercy, especially a formal decision to cancel a punishment or sentence.
"He received a full pardon after new evidence came to light."
As a noun, pardon is most common in legal, political, and formal literary contexts.
The standard plural is pardons. The plural is used especially for multiple formal acts of forgiveness or clemency.
"The government announced pardons for several political prisoners."
A pardon can close a prison door without erasing the court record.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pardon come from?
Pardon entered Middle English from Old French pardon, a noun meaning forgiveness or mercy. Old French borrowed the term from Latin perdonare, formed from the prefix per-, meaning through or completely, and donare, meaning to give. The same Latin root produced cognates such as French pardonner and Spanish perdonar and perdon, while English developed the verb and noun forms used today.
Related word forms
How pardon is actually used
Pardon is more formal than the everyday verb forgive. In legal and governmental contexts, it usually refers to an official decision to forgive an offence or commute a punishment. The expression "pardon me" can mean "excuse me" or, in phrases such as "pardon my French", can be used as a humorous acknowledgment of a mistake or inappropriate remark.
Easily confused with pardon
A pardon forgives an offence or cancels a punishment, whereas parole releases a prisoner to serve the remainder of a sentence under supervision.