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

Until his victim’s sister read his apology letter, visited him, and advocated for his release, he told me, “I used to worry about that all the time.”

From Slate ● Aug. 6, 2026

The actor then addressed his former cast mates and the show’s producers, asking that they accept his apology for the stress his “actions have brought to this production.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026

Outside court on the first day of the hearing Bush said he was sorry to a BBC reporter, an apology which was repeated by his defence in court.

From BBC ● Aug. 2, 2026

Hasina said she had "sympathy for every family that lost a loved one" but stopped short of offering an apology.

From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026

But the apology was like a bandage on a wound that needed stitches.

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026

Lyrically, Charli disavows cigarettes and writes sincere apologies for her past mistakes.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

If that sounds dramatic, she makes no apologies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

If she’s facing a problem, apologies are issued.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026

The other two made apologies as well, using the socially useful phrases they had studied so diligently.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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