American English
/ɪkˈskjuz/
2 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
A reason that you give to explain a mistake or failure, often to avoid blame.
As a noun, “excuse” is pronounced /ɪkˈskjus/. As a verb, it ends with /z/: /ɪkˈskjuz/.
A reason that you give to explain a mistake or failure, often to avoid blame.
That is just an excuse for being late.
She made an excuse and left early.
make an excuse · a good excuse · a lame excuse · a valid excuse
[someone] + make + an excuse for + something
[someone] + use + something + as an excuse
A note or other accepted reason that allows you to miss school or work.
The coach accepted my medical excuse.
I brought a written excuse for missing class.
a written excuse · a medical excuse · a valid excuse
To forgive someone for a small mistake or an unpleasant action.
Please excuse my messy handwriting.
I hope you can excuse me for being late.
excuse a mistake · excuse bad behavior
[someone] + excuse + someone + for + something
please + excuse + someone/something
To officially allow someone not to attend a place or not to do something they usually must do.
The doctor excused me from work for two days.
May I be excused from the meeting?
excused from class · excused from work · excused from duty
[someone] + excuse + someone + from + something
[someone] + be + excused + from + something
Used to get someone's attention, say sorry for a small problem, or ask someone to move so you can pass.
Excuse me, could you tell me where the bank is?
To leave a place politely or say that you need to leave.
I need to excuse myself for a moment.
To give reasons to avoid blame or responsibility.
He always makes excuses for missing deadlines.
In the -ing form, the final e disappears: excusing, not excuseing.