amends

American  

[uh-mendz] / əˈmɛndz /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. reparation or compensation for a loss, damage, or injury of any kind; recompense.

   Synonyms:

   restitution, redress

2. Obsolete. improvement; recovery, as of health.

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idioms

1. make amends, to compensate, as for an injury, loss, or insult.

   I tried to make amends for the misunderstanding by sending her flowers.

amends British  

/ əˈmɛndz /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) recompense or compensation given or gained for some injury, insult, etc

   to make amends

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amends More Idioms  

1. see make amends.

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Etymology

Origin of amends

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English amendes, from Middle French, plural of amende “reparation,” noun derivative of amender “to repair, correct errors in, improve the condition of”; see amend

Explanation

So you blew the surprise party by mentioning it in passing to the birthday girl. Now, you have to do something to make amends, or reparations, to the boyfriend who worked all day to set up the party. When you make amends, you mend something you have damaged, like a deal, or relationship. Maybe, your cupcake shop was panned by a food critic in the paper, but he never went to your store, he went to that awful cupcake shop across the street. The critic should make amends by printing a retraction.

Example Sentences

Kit: Amends were indeed made after Big Brother–gate.

From Slate • Jun. 22, 2018

In Sports, No Amends Necessary for Redemption Having absorbed a day full of stories of “redemption,” the has officially taken over the word.

From New York Times • Sep. 27, 2010

Law & Order: Criminal Intent10pm, Five This week's episode is titled Amends, suggesting more than one attempt to right some wrongs.

From The Guardian • Jul. 28, 2010

In the new playhouse they presented Nathaniel Field's comedy, Amends for Ladies, which was printed the following year "as it was acted at the Blackfriars both by the Prince's Servants and the Lady Elizabeth's."

From Shakespearean Playhouses A History of English Theatres from the Beginnings to the Restoration by Adams, Joseph Quincy

Then it is a very acceptable Present to me, and I'll endeavour to make you Amends.

From Colloquies of Erasmus, Volume I. by Erasmus, Desiderius

Related Words

• apology
• redress
• reparation
• restitution