amends

[uh-mendz]

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.

amends

/ əˈmɛndz /

noun

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

   to make amends

Word History and Origins

Origin of amends¹

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”; amend

Word History and Origins

Origin of amends¹

C13: from Old French amendes fines, from amende compensation, from amender to _emend

Idioms and Phrases

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.

see make amends.

Example Sentences

Van Dijk nearly made amends for his earlier blunder when he glanced a header against the bar from Mohamed Salah's corner.

Read more on Barron's

The bulk of those players who lined up at Brentford and, indeed, in the damaging defeat at West Ham, were given the chance to make amends as a result.

Read more on BBC

He said that if the Senate amends the bill to address his privacy concerns, he would vote in favor of the new version.

Read more on Barron's

So Wales have to make amends in a ground that is no longer a fortress.

Read more on BBC

Pelosi was one of the most vocal and early proponents of Proposition 50, which amends the state constitution to give state Democrats the power through 2030 to redraw California’s congressional districts in their favor.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• apology 
• redress 
• reparation 
• restitution