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ex·cuse
 excuse
- parts of speech:
- verb, noun
- features:
- Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
verb |
| pronunciation: |
ihks
kyuz
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| inflections: |
excused, excuses, excusing |
| definition 1: |
to forgive or pardon.
Please excuse me for stepping on your foot.- synonyms:
- forgive, overlook, pardon
- similar words:
- disregard, ignore, let off
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| definition 2: |
to be the reason or cause for; serve as an explanation for.
The fact that my sister is just a baby excuses her pulling the dog's tail.- similar words:
- acquit, clear, explain, sanction
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| definition 3: |
to let go from duty or obligation.
The government excused him from the army.- synonyms:
- exempt, let off, release
- similar words:
- forgive, free, pardon
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| related words: |
dismiss, release |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| pronunciation: |
ihks
kyus
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| definition 1: |
a reason offered to explain, or ask for pardon for, a fault.
My excuse for being late is that I missed the bus.- synonyms:
- alibi, defense, explanation
- similar words:
- apology, argument, cause
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| definition 2: |
a reason or explanation used to escape blame.
She is always making up excuses for not doing her homework.- similar words:
- alibi, defense
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| derivations: |
excusable (adj.), excusably (adv.), excuser (n.) |
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