excuse

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Technical

n. a reason in law why someone should not be punished, even if they did the act.

n. a legal defense where the defendant admits the actus reus but claims special circumstances negate their moral culpability.

“The lawyer argued that the defendant had a valid excuse because he was acting under pressure.”

“In criminal law, an excuse differs from a justification in that the act is still considered wrong, but the actor is not held personally blameworthy.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a very bad or poor example of something.

n. an inferior or substandard example of a particular thing; often used with 'poor' or 'pathetic'.

“That old, rusty bike is a poor excuse for a vehicle.”

“The critics dismissed the film as a pathetic excuse for a thriller, citing its predictable plot and wooden acting.”

A2 · Elementary

v. to forgive someone for a small mistake or for being rude.

v. to pardon or overlook a minor fault or social transgression.

“Please excuse my mess; I haven't had time to clean the kitchen today.”

“The host was kind enough to excuse his guest's late arrival, given the unprecedented traffic delays in the city centre.”

B1 · Intermediate Formal

v. to give someone permission to leave a room or a duty.

v. to grant someone permission to depart or to release them from a specific obligation.

“The teacher excused the student from class to go to the nurse.”

“The judge excused the juror from the trial after learning of a potential conflict of interest with the defendant.”