apology

American  

[uh-pol-uh-jee] / əˈpɒl ə dʒi /

noun

• apologies
  plural

1. a written or spoken expression of one's regret, remorse, or sorrow for having insulted, failed, injured, or wronged another.

   He demanded an apology from me for calling him a crook.

2. a defense, excuse, or justification in speech or writing, as for a cause or doctrine.

   Synonyms:

   vindication

3. (initial capital letter, italics) a dialogue by Plato, centering on Socrates' defense before the tribunal that condemned him to death.

4. an inferior specimen or substitute; makeshift.

   The tramp wore a sad apology for a hat.

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apology British  

/ əˈpɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. an oral or written expression of regret or contrition for a fault or failing

2. a poor substitute or offering

3. another word for apologia

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Synonym Usage

See excuse.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• reapology
  noun
• superapology
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• apologies
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of apology

First recorded in 1500–50; earlier apologie, late Middle English (from Middle French ), from Late Latin apologia, from Greek apología, “speech in self-defense; defense,” see apologia

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Explanation

An apology is what you say or do when you want to let someone know (or fool them into thinking) that you regret something. An apology is nice, but chocolates or large bundles of cash are nicer. Always. The noun apology has its roots in the Greek apologos, meaning a story. It entered the English language in the Middle Ages. If you broke your friend’s sword and then made up an elaborate story to get out of trouble, that was an apology. After a few decades, the general sense of the word shifted to its current meaning — what you say when you want to express real remorse.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

apology apologies

Asked whether the government might reach the point of a formal apology by the time it hosts the G20 leaders' summit in Manchester next November, Miliband told BBC Newscast, external: "Broadly speaking, yes."

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026

However, the palace has said it isn’t his role to issue a formal apology as it is a decision for the government.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

The UK royal family benefited from the trade but Charles is politically neutral and is not expected to offer an apology.

From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026

But any formal apology and any action on reparations on behalf of the UK would be a decision for political leaders - and the statement from the Palace defuses any expectation of such an intervention.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026

But either way, the apology I was holding back flows out.

From "Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun" by Hena Khan

CCTV's sports website later reported that CMG had acknowledged the apologies, but it remains unclear whether talks to defuse the situation have begun.

From Barron's ● Oct. 31, 2026

My apologies to all those running the private health insurers.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 21, 2026

Sadly, airplanes are the new Greyhound buses—with apologies to Greyhound.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026

“I personally told our guys that there’s no apologies, there’s no sorries,” manager Dave Roberts said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

Pa said, “No need for no apologies, Leroy. These is trying times for you.”

From "Elijah of Buxton" by Christopher Paul Curtis

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Related Words

• acknowledgment
• admission
• amends
• atonement
• concession
• confession
• excuse
• explanation
• justification
• plea
• redress
• reparation

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