Word
apologize
Phoneticsapol·o·gize
/əˈpɑɫəˌdʒaɪz/
UK spelling · apologise
Definitions
02to express regret for an event
v. to say you are sorry that something bad happened, even if it was not your fault.
v. to express regret regarding a specific circumstance or occurrence, often as a formal gesture of sympathy or professional courtesy.
“The airline apologized for the long delay caused by the bad weather.”
“The gallery directors apologized for the short notice regarding the exhibition's cancellation due to unforeseen structural issues.”
Formal
Usage
Often used by organizations or in professional contexts to maintain good relations.
Teaching tip
In this sense, the speaker isn't necessarily admitting a personal moral fault, but rather acknowledging an inconvenience.
Synonyms
03to defend an idea
v. to speak or write in defense of a belief or a person.
v. to provide a formal defense or justification for a doctrine, policy, or institution; to act as an apologist.
“He spent his career writing books that apologize for the old political system.”
“The essay functions less as a critique and more as a piece intended to apologize for the administration's controversial fiscal policies.”
Academic · Archaic
Usage
Usually followed by 'for'.
Teaching tip
This sense is related to the noun 'apologia' (a formal defense) rather than a modern 'apology' (saying sorry). It is rare in modern speech.
Etymology
From apology + -ize, from ἀπολογία (apología, “a speech in defense”), from ἀπολογέομαι (apologéomai, “to speak in one’s defense”), from ἀπόλογος (apólogos, “an account, story”), compound of ἀπο- (apo-, “from, off”) and λόγος (lógos, “speech”); compare also ἀπολογίζομαι (apologízomai, “to render an account”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
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englishreference.com/q/apologize