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

Peacock acknowledged the sneaker brand’s apology, but added that “must come with accountability.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

"The apology doesn't mean an awful lot," said Carrick.

From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026

He supported the campaign for an adoption apology by providing evidence from his own research.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026

On Thursday, the athlete issued an apology on Instagram, saying she regrets not stepping off the track.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

“I don’t believe the apology was sincere, Principal Wombat,” he said.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness

You would also be relying on the restaurant management not to spill the beans — apologies once again for the pun — to regular customers and employees.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026

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

Good Good and Callaway removed the video and issued several apologies, but they couldn’t quell the blowback.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 29, 2026

In a statement posted to social media, the KFA said: "We offer our deepest apologies for the disappointment and concern caused by the various controversies."

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

He bent low from the waist and whispered in her ear, ‘Chef sends his apologies, Your Majesty, and he says he has no more eggs in the kitchen.’

From "The BFG" by Roald Dahl

Related Words

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