apologetic
Americanadjective
-
expressing or anxious to make apology; contrite
-
protecting or defending in speech or writing
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of apologetic
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English apologetik “a formal defense,” from Middle French or directly from Late Latin apologēticus “written defense, defensive,” Greek apologētikós “fit for defense,” equivalent to apologē- (variant stem of apologeîsthai “to speak in defense”; see apologia) + -tikos -tic
Explanation
If you're apologetic, you're very sorry about something. You might offer an apologetic smile at another driver if you accidentally honk at her. Someone who's apologetic is regretful or contrite, and usually openly expresses this feeling in some way. An apologetic note might say, "I am so sorry I picked all the flowers off your rose bush!" Apologetic was originally a noun, and its meaning in the 1600s was much closer to "justification" than "apology." It comes from a Greek root, apologetikos, "defensible." It didn't come to mean "regretfully acknowledging failure" until 1855.
Vocabulary lists containing apologetic
Feeling Sorry?
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myPerspectives 6.3
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -ic
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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.
And when I spoke to Bisognano the day of the Virginia referendum, there was a lightly apologetic undertone to the conversation.
From Slate ● Apr. 22, 2026
Cucurella was viewed as genuinely apologetic for failing to raise his concerns privately before speaking publicly.
From BBC ● Apr. 8, 2026
He’s insufficiently grateful to the people he owes, and insufficiently apologetic to those he’s wronged.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 25, 2026
That extra marbling translates into depth, tenderness and a loaf that tastes intentional rather than apologetic.
From Salon ● Mar. 11, 2026
“My name is Victor Getz. I have an appointment with the Hartliebs," Victor gave an apologetic smile, “for which I am rather late. Could you please check if they are still in their room?"
From "The Thief Lord" by Cornelia Funke
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.
