apologize meaning

UK /əˈpɒlədʒaɪz/ US /əˈpɑlədʒaɪz/ 4 syllables

apologize (verb): acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing.

Spelling: apologise (British) · apologize (American)

apologize has 2 meanings in this dictionary.

apologize as a verb

  1. acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing
    • I apologized for being late
    • He apologized for the many typoes

    Synonyms: apologise

    Related forms: apology

  2. defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
    • rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior
    • he rationalized his lack of success

    Synonyms: apologise, excuse, rationalize, rationalise

    Type of: defend

    Kinds: color, plead, extenuate

How to pronounce apologize

apologize is pronounced /əˈpɒlədʒaɪz/ in British English and /əˈpɑlədʒaɪz/ in American English. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.

Word lists: words starting with AP · words ending in ZE · 9-letter words

More about apologize on Wikipedia.