plural noun
It describes reasons given to explain mistakes or failures, often to avoid blame.
/ɪkˈskju.sɪz/Plural noun
His excuses never explain why he was late.
Stop making excuses and take responsibility for your actions.
American English
How to pronounce excuses
noun · verbB1Common word
ihkSKYOOsihz
/ɪkˈskju.sɪz/
3 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
Form of excuse
This spelling is used both for the plural noun excuses and for the third-person singular verb excuses.
It describes reasons given to explain mistakes or failures, often to avoid blame.
What to listen for
The noun means reasons or explanations; the verb means forgives or gives permission to leave. The noun has /s/ before the ending; the verb has /z/.
Plural noun/ɪkˈskju.sɪz/
Verb/ɪkˈskju.zɪz/
Meanings & examples
plural noun
It describes notes or other accepted reasons that allow someone to miss school or work.
/ɪkˈskju.sɪz/Plural noun
The office requires written excuses for absences.
The teacher accepted their medical excuses.
third-person singular verb
It means that someone forgives another person for a small mistake or an unpleasant action.
/ɪkˈskju.zɪz/Verb
She excuses his rude behavior too easily.
He excuses her mistakes because he knows she is learning.
third-person singular verb
It means that someone officially allows another person not to attend a place or not to do something they usually must do.
/ɪkˈskju.zɪz/Verb
The doctor excuses him from work for two days.
The teacher excuses Ana from class today.
Useful expressions
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.
Related words & forms
In the -ing form, the final e disappears: excusing, not excuseing.