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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Excuse: Meaning, Examples, and Usage Tips (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：justification (excuse)

excuse 🔊

/ɪkˈskjuːs/ (n.), /ɪkˈskjuːz/ (v.)

n., v.

A reason you give to explain why you did something wrong, can‘t do something, or are late.

justification 🔊

➕

/ˌdʒʌstɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

n., v.

A reason or explanation given to justify a fault, mistake, or undesirable action.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Latin ex- (out) + causa (cause): to free from accusation.

💡 Mnemonic

Excuse = Ex (out) + Cuse (cause) – you give a cause to get out of trouble.

📖 Example

He gave the excuse of a flat tire for being late to the meeting. 🔊 He gave the excuse of a flat tire for being late to the meeting.

🔗 Collocations

make an excuse – to give a reason to avoid blame or responsibility

find an excuse – to invent a reason for something

excuse for – the reason given for a fault or action

🔄 Synonyms

justification (n.) – A reason that explains or defends an action or belief.

apology (n.) – An expression of regret for a fault or offense.

alibi (n.) – A claim or evidence that one was elsewhere when a crime occurred.

🚫 Antonyms

accusation (n.) – A statement charging someone with a fault or wrongdoing.

blame (n.) – Responsibility for a fault or error.

🌱 Derivatives

excusable (adj.) – Capable of being forgiven or justified.

inexcusable (adj.) – Too bad to be justified or forgiven.

excusingly (adv.) – In a way that shows forgiveness or apology.

📖 Cultural Story

From Latin excusare (to free from blame), used in Roman law. Today, it's essential in polite society for apologizing or justifying minor faults.

Meaning 2：forgive (excuse)

excuse 🔊

/ɪkˈskjuːs/ (n.), /ɪkˈskjuːz/ (v.)

n., v.

To forgive someone for a small mistake or something slightly rude; to not blame them.

forgive 🔊

➕

/fərˈɡɪv/

n., v.

To overlook or pardon a minor mistake, offense, or inconvenience; not to blame someone.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Please excuse my interruption, but I have an urgent question. 🔊 Please excuse my interruption, but I have an urgent question.

🔗 Collocations

excuse me – A polite phrase used to apologize or get someone's attention.

excuse someone for something – To forgive someone for a particular mistake or fault.

excuse oneself – To politely leave a place or apologize for one's behavior.

🔄 Synonyms

forgive (v.) – To stop feeling angry or resentful toward someone for a mistake.

pardon (v.) – To release someone from the consequences of an offense; to forgive formally.

overlook (v.) – To ignore or disregard a minor fault or mistake.

🚫 Antonyms

blame (v.) – To hold someone responsible for a fault or error.

accuse (v.) – To charge someone with wrongdoing or a fault.

condemn (v.) – To express strong disapproval of someone's actions.

🌱 Derivatives

excusable (adj.) – That can be forgiven or justified.

inexcusable (adj.) – Too bad to be justified or forgiven.

excusingly (adv.) – In a way that shows forgiveness or apology.