excuse

Sense 1 noun

a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.

he kept finding excuses to stay

Sense 2 verb

accept an excuse for

Please excuse my dirty hands

Sense 3 noun

a note explaining an absence

he had to get his mother to write an excuse for him

Sense 4 verb

grant exemption or release to

Please excuse me from this class

Sense 5 noun

a poor example

it was an apology for a meal

Sense 6 verb

serve as a reason or cause or justification of

Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work

Sense 7 verb

defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning

rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior

Sense 8 verb

ask for permission to be released from an engagement

Sense 9 verb

excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with

excuse someone's behavior