apology

[ uh-pol-uh-jee ]
See synonyms for: apologyapologies on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural a·pol·o·gies.
  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.

  1. (initial capital letter, italics) a dialogue by Plato, centering on Socrates' defense before the tribunal that condemned him to death.

  2. an inferior specimen or substitute; makeshift: The tramp wore a sad apology for a hat.

Origin of apology

1
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

synonym study For apology

2. See excuse.

Other words for apology

Other words from apology

  • re·a·pol·o·gy, noun, plural re·a·pol·o·gies.
  • su·per·a·pol·o·gy, noun, plural su·per·a·pol·o·gies.

Words Nearby apology

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use apology in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for apology

apology

/ (əˈpɒlədʒɪ) /


nounplural -gies
  1. an oral or written expression of regret or contrition for a fault or failing

  2. a poor substitute or offering

  1. another word for apologia

Origin of apology

1
C16: from Old French apologie, from Late Latin apologia, from Greek: a verbal defence, from apo- + logos speech

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012