What is excuse? Pronunciation and usage in English

excuse means . Learn how to pronounce and use excuse through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of excuse

excuseverb

/ɪkˈskjuːz//ɛkˈskjuːz/
Definition & pronunciation of excuse

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "excuse" in English. It can be tricky for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

The Standard Pronunciation (American & British):

  • ex-CUH-ze

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  1. "ex": Pronounced like "eks" (as in "example"). Think of it like saying "eks" quickly.
  2. "CUH": This is the trickiest part. It's a short, quick "uh" sound, like the "uh" in "up" or "cup." It's not like the long "oo" sound in "moon." It's a very brief, unstressed vowel.
  3. "ze": Pronounced like "zay," as in "say."

Important Notes & Common Mistakes:

  • Don't say "ex-SKU-ze": This is a very common mistake. The "u" sound is not present.
  • Don't over-emphasize the "ex": It's a brief syllable.
  • Keep the "CUH" sound short and light: This is key to making it sound right.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you learning English? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.) - Regional accents can slightly affect pronunciation.

Usage and examples with the word excuse in English

Let's break down how to use the word "excuse" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings and uses! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Verb (To Apologize)

  • Meaning: To offer a reason for something bad or undesirable, and to apologize for it.
  • Structure: “excuse + me/yourself/him/her/them”
  • Examples:
    • “Excuse me, could you tell me where the library is?” (Polite way to get someone’s attention)
    • “Excuse me, I didn’t mean to step on your foot.” (Apologizing for an accident)
    • “Excuse me for being late, I got stuck in traffic.” (Offering a reason and apologizing)
    • "Please excuse my interruption." (Politely interrupting a conversation)

2. As a Noun (A Reason for an Apology)

  • Meaning: The reason given for an apology. It's what you're making an excuse for.
  • Examples:
    • "I have no excuse for being rude." (The reason for being rude)
    • “He offered a flimsy excuse for his absence.” (The excuse he gave)
    • "Her excuse was that she was sick, but it seemed like a lie.” (The reason she gave)

3. As a Noun (A Formal Request to Leave)

  • Meaning: A formal request to leave a room or event. This is primarily used in more formal settings.
  • Examples:
    • “The chairman will now call the excuse.” (Before a formal meeting begins) – This is a very specific and somewhat archaic phrase.
    • "We will have an excuse for the meeting at 10:00 AM.” (Referring to the formal start of a meeting).

4. As a Noun (A Covering or Shield - Less Common)

  • Meaning: A covering, shield, or something that protects or conceals something. This usage is less frequent and often more figurative.
  • Examples:
    • “He used a piece of cardboard as an excuse to shield himself from the sun.” (The cardboard was the reason/cover)

Key Considerations & Tips:

  • Politeness: Using “excuse me” as a verb is almost always polite.
  • Context is Crucial: The meaning of "excuse" depends heavily on the context of the sentence.
  • Formal vs. Informal: "Excuse me" as a verb can be used in most situations, but “excuse” as a noun (reason for apology) feels slightly more formal.
  • Avoiding Overuse: Be careful not to over-use "excuse" as a reason; sometimes a simple acknowledgement and apology are sufficient.

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb To apologize & get attention “Excuse me, where’s the restroom?”
Noun Reason for an apology “He offered no excuse for his behavior.”
Noun Formal request to leave “The meeting will begin with the excuse.”
Noun Covering/Shield (less common) “He used an excuse to hide his face.”

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to do with the word "excuse"? (e.g., "I want to know how to say sorry politely," or "I'm writing a story and need help choosing the right word.")

Synonyms for the word excuse

Practice with vocabulary excuse

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The project manager's frequent tardiness often came with a questionable ______ about traffic.
  2. We will ______ his minor oversight this time, but expect greater attention to detail in the future.
  3. Following the data breach, the company issued a public ______ to all affected users.
  4. He claimed he was ill as a ______ to avoid attending the mandatory team-building event.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following terms can describe a weak or insincere reason given to avoid responsibility? A. alibi B. excuse C. justification D. rationale

  2. If you need to politely interrupt someone during a meeting or ask to leave a room, which phrase(s) would be appropriate? A. Forgive me B. Excuse me C. Pardon me D. Allow me

  3. When a supervisor asks you to overlook a small error or lapse in judgment, what might they say? A. Bear with me B. Excuse my oversight C. Forgive my error D. Mind your own business

  4. To alleviate or reduce the severity of a difficult situation or problem is to: A. amplify B. mitigate C. exacerbate D. intensify

  5. A formal and strong expression of disapproval or criticism of someone's actions is a(n): A. commendation B. admonition C. acclaim D. endorsement

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. His explanation for the consistent underperformance of the team was quite unconvincing.

    • Rewrite the sentence using "excuse" or a related word form.

  2. Please overlook my sudden departure; I have an urgent client call.

    • Rewrite the sentence using "excuse" or a related word form.

  3. The board demanded a clear justification for the unexpected budget increase.

    • Rewrite the sentence, without using "excuse" or its related forms, using a suitable replacement word.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The project manager's frequent tardiness often came with a questionable excuse about traffic.
  2. We will excuse his minor oversight this time, but expect greater attention to detail in the future.
  3. Following the data breach, the company issued a public apology to all affected users.
  4. He claimed he was ill as a pretext to avoid attending the mandatory team-building event.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B. excuse
  2. B. Excuse me, C. Pardon me
  3. B. Excuse my oversight, C. Forgive my error
  4. B. mitigate
  5. B. admonition

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. His excuse for the consistent underperformance of the team was quite unconvincing.
  2. Please excuse my sudden departure; I have an urgent client call.
  3. The board demanded a clear rationale for the unexpected budget increase.

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