apologize
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apologize
to offer an apology or excuse for some fault, insult, failure, or injury: You should apologize for being so insensitive.
Not to be confused with:
apologies – written or spoken expressions of regret: She will make apologies for her rudeness.; excuses or justifications, as for a cause or doctrine; vindications
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
a·pol·o·gize
(ə-pŏl′ə-jīz′)intr.v. a·pol·o·gized, a·pol·o·giz·ing, a·pol·o·giz·es
1. To make excuse for or regretful acknowledgment of a fault or offense.
2. To make a formal defense or justification in speech or writing.
a·pol′o·giz′er n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
apologize
(əˈpɒləˌdʒaɪz) orapologise
vb (intr)
1. to express or make an apology; acknowledge failings or faults
2. to make a formal defence in speech or writing
aˈpoloˌgizer, aˈpoloˌgiser n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
a•pol•o•gize
(əˈpɒl əˌdʒaɪz)v.i. -gized, -giz•ing.
to make an apology.
[1590–1600]
a•pol′o•giz`er, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
apologize
1. 'apologize'
If you apologize to someone, you say you are sorry.
Afterwards George apologized to him personally.
Be Careful!
Apologize must be followed by to in sentences like these. Don't say, for example, 'George apologized him'.
If you apologize for something you have done, or apologize for something someone else has done, you say you are sorry about it.
Later, Brad apologized to Simon for his rudeness.
2. 'I apologize' and 'I'm sorry'
If you are sorry for something you have done, you can say I apologize. This is a formal use. In informal conversation, you are more likely to say I'm sorry or Sorry.
I apologize for being late.
Sorry I'm late.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
apologize
Past participle: apologized
Gerund: apologizing
| Imperative |
|---|
| apologize |
| apologize |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Verb | 1. |  apologize - acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing; "I apologized for being late"; "He apologized for the many typoes" |
| 2. | apologize - defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning; "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success" plead - offer as an excuse or plea; "She was pleading insanity" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
apologize
verb say sorry, express regret, ask forgiveness, make an apology, beg pardon, say you are sorry He apologized to those who had been affected.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
apologize
verbTo support against arguments, attack, or criticism:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
TranslationsSelect a language:
Spanish / Español
apologize
[əˈpɒlədʒaɪz] VI → disculparse, pedir perdón; (for absence etc) → presentar las excusasthere's no need to apologize → no hay de qué disculparse
I apologize! → ¡lo siento!
to apologize to sb (for sth) → disculparse con algn (por algo)
he apologized for being late → se disculpó por llegar tarde
to apologize for sb → disculparse or pedir perdón por algn
never apologize! → disculpas, ¡nunca!
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
apologize,
apologise
(əˈpolədʒaiz) verb to say that one is sorry, for having done something wrong, for a fault etc. I must apologize to her for my rudeness.disculparse, excusarse
aˌpoloˈgetic (-ˈdʒetik) adjective showing regret or saying one is sorry for having done something wrong etc. an apologetic letter. de disculpa, apologético
aˌpoloˈgetically adverb disculpándose
aˈpology – plural aˈpologies – nounPlease accept my apology for not arriving on time; He made his apologies for not attending the meeting.disculpa
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
apologize
→ disculparseMultilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009