verb To allow to leave, or release from any obligation.
May I be excused from the table?
verb To provide an excuse for; to justify.
You know he shouldn't have done it, so don't try to excuse his behavior!
verb To relieve of an imputation by apology or defense; to make apology for as not seriously evil; to ask pardon or indulgence for.
noun An explanation designed to avoid or alleviate guilt or negative judgment; a plea offered in extenuation of a fault.
Tell me why you were late – and I don't want to hear any excuses!
noun A defense to a criminal or civil charge wherein the accused party admits to doing acts for which legal consequences would normally be appropriate, but asserts that special circumstances relieve that party of culpability for having done those acts.
noun An example of something that is substandard or of inferior quality.
That thing is a poor excuse for a gingerbread man. Hasn't anyone taught you how to bake?