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

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

“Wearing my country’s jersey is the greatest honor of my career,” he wrote on social media by way of an apology.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

During the hearing, Brand, hands clasped behind his jail jumpsuit, said he owed the biggest apology “to the people who lost out.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 16, 2026

For Woman Scotland has called for an apology over the way it has been characterised and called for the Amnesty report to be withdrawn permanently.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

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

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn

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 conference leaders also called on countries formerly involved in the slave trade to offer their "full, formal and unconditional apologies".

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

The campaigner said he was "deeply mortified" by the remark, and Bafta and the BBC issued apologies.

From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2026

Ignoring his mingled oaths and apologies, Harry addressed Lupin again.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

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