apology

/əˈpɑlədʒi/

/əˈpɒlədʒi/

Other forms: apologies

An apology is what you say or do when you want to let someone know (or fool them into thinking) that you regret something. An apology is nice, but chocolates or large bundles of cash are nicer. Always.

The noun apology has its roots in the Greek apologos, meaning a story. It entered the English language in the Middle Ages. If you broke your friend’s sword and then made up an elaborate story to get out of trouble, that was an apology. After a few decades, the general sense of the word shifted to its current meaning — what you say when you want to express real remorse.

Definitions of apology

1. noun

   an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone
   “he wrote a letter of apology to the hostess”

   type of:

   acknowledgement, acknowledgment

   a statement acknowledging something or someone
2. noun

   a formal written defense of something you believe in strongly
   synonyms: apologia

   type of:

   defence, defense, vindication

   the justification for some act or belief
3. noun

   a poor example
   “it was an apology for a meal”

   synonyms: excuse

   type of:

   example, illustration, instance, representative

   an item of information that is typical of a class or group