# apology

/əˈpɑɫəˌdʒi/ (US) · /ɐpˈɒlədʒi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/apology
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. saying sorry

noun · CEFR B1

a statement that you are sorry for hurting someone or making a mistake.

For teachers: an expression of remorse or regret for a perceived fault, injury, or insult.

- He sent a sincere apology to his colleague after missing the deadline.
- The CEO issued a public apology to the shareholders, acknowledging that the company's recent communication had been misleading.

Usage: Commonly used with the verbs 'offer', 'make', 'issue', or 'accept'.

### 2. formal defence

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Academic

a formal written or spoken defence of a belief or an idea.

For teachers: a formal justification or systematic defence of a religious doctrine, political theory, or philosophical position.

- The philosopher wrote a famous apology for his controversial views on society.
- The text serves as a sophisticated apology for the movement's core tenets, addressing critics with rigorous logical arguments.

Usage: Often appears in the titles of historical or theological works.

### 3. poor substitute

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary · British English

something that is a very poor or low-quality example of what it should be.

For teachers: a makeshift or inferior substitute for something; a poor representation of a particular category.

- The thin soup was a poor apology for a proper meal.
- The drafty wooden shack was a miserable apology for a house, offering little protection against the winter gales.

Teaching tip: Usually used in the phrase 'a poor apology for' or 'a miserable apology for' to show strong disappointment.

## Examples

- He sent a sincere apology for being late.
- The company issued a public apology after the software update caused widespread service outages for its customers.
- While a private apology may suffice for minor social slights, institutional failures often require a formal public statement to regain the trust of the community.

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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.