- present tense form of amend (3rd person singular).
amends
Americannoun
-
reparation or compensation for a loss, damage, or injury of any kind; recompense.
- Synonyms:
- restitution, redress
-
Obsolete. improvement; recovery, as of health.
idioms
noun
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.
Vocabulary lists containing amends
The Kite Runner
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The One and Only Ivan
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Where the Red Fern Grows
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The “OG influencer” said that he attempted to make amends with some of the celebrities he targeted, including Britney Spears and Khloé Kardashian, whom he said were receptive to his apologies.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
Norris' pole provides an opportunity to make amends for that - if he can keep Leclerc behind on the run to the first corner.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
But one aspect of a fair justice system is for wrongdoers to face proportionate consequences—not to be shunned forever, but to be expected to own up, make amends, and, sometimes, pay a penalty.
From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026
We’re already amply aware that some stars are just so talented that they’re beyond accountability or making amends for previous power abuses that irreparably harmed other people and their careers.
From Salon ● Jul. 3, 2026
So why don’t they try to make amends by asking them what’s what?
From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
