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

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

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

The case eventually came to light and it resulted in a fulsome public apology delivered to Parliament by the Attorney General in 2018.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

In late August, the company issued its first apology, writing that the young workers had joined the company with hopes for a bright future but instead faced “disappointment and pain.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

She issued a public apology, saying her choice of words had been a "terrible mistake" because they implied "that until recently Jews have been strangers to persecution, when the opposite is true".

From Barron's ● Sep. 6, 2026

“She loves to write notes and receive notes, like little cards that say, ‘I love you so much,’ or if she gets upset about something, she’ll write out an apology card,” she said.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 4, 2026

My face flushed with embarrassment, but I couldn’t seem to stammer out an apology.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

But not accounting for Galliano’s 15 years of sobriety, his frank apologies, and his continued remorse is somewhat unnerving.

From Salon ● Sep. 5, 2026

Skubal made no apologies about the butterflies he was feeling.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

“I wish to extend my most sincere apologies to everyone impacted by my words,” he wrote.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026

After Stodden reposted and questioned the clip earlier this week, Alexander said he was "deeply sorry" and offered her his "sincerest apologies".

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

“No need for apologies, child,” the woman said.

From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley

Related Words

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