Word
atone
US/əˈtoʊn/
UK/ɐtˈəʊn/
Definitions
01to make amends
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to do something to show you are sorry for doing something wrong in the past.
v. 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.
Pitfall
He wanted to atone his sins.
He wanted to atone for his sins.
In modern English, 'atone' is an intransitive verb and requires the preposition 'for' before the mistake or sin being addressed.
Teaching tip
While the word has religious roots, it is commonly used in secular contexts to discuss moral responsibility and personal growth.
Synonyms
02to reconcile
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Literary
v. to bring people together or make them agree again.
v. 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.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“But the Liverpool stand-in keeper atoned with several impressive stops, the best from Omar Marmoush, and the visitors’ wastefulness would prove another factor in their downfall.” Etymology
From atone (“reconciled”), from Middle English atone, attone, atoon (“agreed”, literally “at one”), equivalent to at + one. Compare Latin adūnō (“I unite, make one”) for the similar formation. Regarding the different phonological development of atone and one, see the note in one.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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