noun / verb

excuse

ik-SKYOOSS/ɪkˈskjuːs/

To release someone from blame or an obligation.

The rider offers the damaged inner tube to excuse his lateness for the meeting.

A compact two-stage scene shows a bicycle breakdown followed by the late rider offering the damaged inner tube as his excuse to a colleague waiting for their meeting.

Etymology

The roots point to getting someone out of an accusation or charge. The noun names the explanation offered to secure that release from blame or from an obligation.

In context

Paul Reiser3:42

you have the opportunity to do it the right way at your job right now even if you have a boss that's doing it wrong don't let that be an excuse for you

How I Handle LATE Employees! This Actually Works!

More examples

Please excuse the interruption.
His flat tire is a reasonable excuse for being late.
The judge excused her from jury duty.

Forms

excuse · excuses · excused · excusing

excusable adjective — Reasonable enough to forgive or overlook.

Similar words

forgive: Focuses on pardoning wrongdoing, not releasing someone from duties.
exempt: Specifically releases someone from a requirement rather than blame.