# apologies

/əˈpɑɫəˌdʒiz/ (US) · /ɐpˈɒlədʒɪz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/apologies
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. expressions of regret

noun · CEFR B1

more than one statement saying you are sorry for something you did wrong.

For teachers: the plural form of apology, denoting multiple expressions of regret or remorse for a fault, failure, or insult.

- He offered his sincere apologies for being late to the dinner party.
- The company issued formal apologies to all customers affected by the data breach, promising a full investigation into the security failure.

### 2. absence from a meeting

noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Formal

a list of people who cannot attend a meeting.

For teachers: a formal notification of inability to attend a meeting, often recorded as a specific agenda item.

- The secretary read out the apologies from members who were away on business.
- The chair accepted apologies from the treasurer and the legal counsel before proceeding to the first item on the agenda.

Usage: Usually plural; often appears in the phrase 'to send apologies'.

### 3. saying sorry

interjection · CEFR B1 · Formal

a polite way to say 'I am sorry' when you make a small mistake.

For teachers: an elliptical form of 'my apologies', used as a polite formula for acknowledging a minor social error or inconvenience.

- Apologies, I didn't mean to interrupt your conversation.
- Apologies for the delay in responding to your email; I have been out of the office for several days.

## Examples

- Please accept my sincere apologies for being late.
- The manager offered her apologies to the customers after the kitchen ran out of the daily special.
- The diplomat issued a public statement of apologies, though critics argued the gesture lacked the specific policy changes required for genuine reconciliation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.