apology

[uh-pol-uh-jee]

noun

plural

apologies 

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.

apology

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• reapology noun
• superapology noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of apology¹

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,” apologia

Word History and Origins

Origin of apology¹

C16: from Old French apologie, from Late Latin apologia, from Greek: a verbal defence, from _apo- + logos speech

Synonym Study

See excuse.

Example Sentences

The Red Bull statement stopped short of an apology for the accusation that Antonelli had deliberately let Norris through.

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In his appearance before the committee on Monday, Shah told MPs the apology "took its time" because "I needed to make sure that what I was apologising for was fully sourced and fully right".

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"Taaf suggested that I might want to offer up an apology for my life", King wrote, "but an apology assumes a crime, an offence, a misdeed".

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He told the committee: "It took time to get it right, what the actual apology was for."

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He suggested he hadn't accepted the apology being suggested by news executives, because it wasn't sufficient.

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Related Words

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