noun
apology
uh-PAH-luh-jee/əˈpɑːlədʒi/
An expression of regret for an offense or mistake.
The man offers an apology and a cloth after spilling tea on the notebook.
Etymology
The “speech” root originally referred here to a speech in defense. Justifying one's conduct shifted toward expressing regret, perhaps through the intermediate sense of excusing or minimizing a fault.
In context
He used phrases like "my behavior was out of line" in his written apology. He never said exactly what he was apologizing for
More examples
- He accepted her apology and resumed the conversation.
- The company issued a public apology.
- Repeated apologies did not repair the broken promise.
Forms
apology · apologies