apologise

Other forms: apologised; apologising; apologises

Apologise is the British English spelling of the verb apologize. So if you need to say you're sorry for something you did in London, you should apologise.

Apologise comes from Greek word apologia, which means "a speech in defense of something." So use the verb apologise if you are making an excuse for, defending, or explaining some action. If you "accidentally" ate the last piece of pizza without offering it to anyone else and then burped in everyone's face at the table, you should probably apologise.

Definitions of apologise

1. verb

   acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing
   synonyms: apologize
2. verb

   defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
   synonyms: apologize, excuse, justify, rationalise, rationalize

   types:

   color, colour, gloss

   give a deceptive explanation or excuse for

   plead

   offer as an excuse or plea

   extenuate, mitigate, palliate

   lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of

   type of:

   defend, fend for, support

   argue or speak in defense of