excuse/ɛk.skyz/
noun · A2 · Frequency 951
nounfeminine
Meanings
excuse, reason
Commonly used to indicate a reason given for an action or situation, often implying justification or defense.
defense, justification
Refers to explaining or defending one's own or others' actions, commonly used in both spoken and written language.
Examples
Son excuse ne convainc personne après trois retards cette semaine.
His excuse convinces no one after being late three times this week.
Elle a trouvé une excuse pour ne pas participer à la réunion.
She found an excuse not to attend the meeting.
Le manque de temps n'est pas une excuse pour négliger ses responsabilités.
Lack of time is not an excuse for neglecting one's responsibilities.
Collocations
- donner une excuseto give an excuse
- chercher une excuseto look for an excuse
- présenter une excuseto present a defense
Common mistakes
donner une excuse
présenter une excuse
"donner une excuse" is less natural than "présenter une excuse", which is more commonly used to express a formal defense.
Related words
nounfeminine
Meanings
excuse, reason
Commonly used to indicate a reason given for an action or situation, often implying justification or defense.
defense, justification
Refers to explaining or defending one's own or others' actions, commonly used in both spoken and written language.
Examples
Ses excuses ne convainquent personne au bureau.
His excuses convince no one at the office.
Elle a présenté ses excuses après son retard.
She offered her excuses after being late.
Les excuses répétées finissent par agacer les autres.
Repeated excuses eventually annoy others.