verb
    
    -cuses; -cused; -cusing
    
    [+ obj] to forgive someone for making a mistake, doing something wrong, etc.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    to say that (someone) is not required to do something
    
    
    
    
    
    to allow (someone, such as a child) to leave
    
    
    
    to be an acceptable reason for (something) :justify
    
    
    
    
    
    excuse me
    
    Excuse me is used as a polite way of starting to say something. It can be used when you are interrupting someone, trying to get someone's attention, or disagreeing with someone.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    excuse yourself
    
    to say politely that you have to leave
    
    
    
    noun
    
    plural -cuses
    
    [count] :a reason that you give to explain a mistake, bad behavior, etc.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    b excuses [plural] :reasons that you give to explain politely why you cannot do something, why you have to leave, etc.
    
    
    
    
    
    [count] :something (such as a condition or set of conditions) that explains improper behavior and makes it acceptable - usually used in negative statements
    
    
    
    
    
    [count] :a reason for doing something
    
    
    
    
    
    [count] :a poor example - + for