# atone

/əˈtoʊn/ (US) · /ɐtˈəʊn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/atone
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to make amends

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to do something to show you are sorry for doing something wrong in the past.

For teachers: to make reparation or compensation for an offense, crime, or error. Intransitive; almost always followed by the preposition 'for'.

- He tried to atone for his past mistakes by helping the community.
- The former executive spent his retirement working for charities in a sincere effort to atone for the unethical practices of his youth.

Usage: Usually takes the preposition 'for' followed by the noun phrase representing the wrongdoing.

Teaching tip: While the word has religious roots, it is commonly used in secular contexts to discuss moral responsibility and personal growth.

### 2. to reconcile

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

to bring people together or make them agree again.

For teachers: to bring into concord or to reconcile parties. This transitive use is rare in modern prose and is found primarily in historical or literary texts.

- The king sought to atone the two warring families through a royal marriage.
- In the final act of the play, the hero attempts to atone the rival factions, though his efforts ultimately prove tragic.

Usage: Used transitively in this sense, taking a direct object representing the parties being reconciled.

Teaching tip: Students should be aware of this sense when reading Shakespeare or early modern literature, but should avoid using it in their own writing.

## Examples

- He tried to atone for his mistake by working extra hours.
- The company spent years trying to atone for its environmental damage by investing in clean energy projects.
- In many religious traditions, the act of atonement requires not only a sincere apology but also a significant change in one's behavior to demonstrate genuine remorse.

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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.