apology
//əˈpɒl.ə.d͡ʒi//
Forms
- Plural
- apologies
Definitions
1.An expression of remorse or regret for having said or done something that harmed another: an instance of apologizing (saying that one is sorry).
- The CEO made a public apology for the scandal, and promised full cooperation with the authorities.
- What he said really hurt my feelings, but his apology sounded so sincere that I couldn't help but forgive him.
2.A formal justification, defence.
3.Anything provided as a substitute; a makeshift.
Frequency
Overall
Rare· #4104
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Rare
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From French apologie, from Late Latin apologia, from Ancient Greek ἀπολογία (apología, “a speech in defence”), from ἀπολογοῦμαι (apologoûmai, “I speak in my defense”), from ἀπόλογος (apólogos, “an account, story”), from ἀπό (apó, “from, off”) (see apo-) + λόγος (lógos, “speech”).