apologize
//əˈpɒləˌd͡ʒaɪz//
informalForms
- present (v1)
- apologize
- past (v2)
- apologized
- past participle (v3)
- apologized
- present participle
- apologizing
- 3rd person singular
- apologizes
Definitions
1.To make an apology or excuse; to acknowledge some fault or offense, with expression of regret for it, by way of amends
- Today I want to apologize to my co-workers.
- My correspondent apologized for not answering my letter.
2.To express regret that a certain event has occurred.
- I think that you should apologize.
- I should apologize to Tom.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #2792
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Uncommon
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From apology + -ize
From ἀπολογία (apología, “a speech in defense”)
From ἀπολογέομαι (apologéomai, “to speak in one’s defense”)