definition of
excuse

[1] #1 excuse n. [alibi, exculpation, self-justification] a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.; "he kept finding excuses to stay"; "every day he had a new alibi for not getting a job"; "his transparent self-justification was unacceptable". wn

[2] #2 excuse v. [pardon] accept an excuse for; "Please excuse my dirty hands". wn

[3] #3 excuse v. [relieve, let off, exempt] grant exemption or release to; "Please excuse me from this class". wn

[4] #4 excuse v. [explain] serve as a reason or cause or justification of; "Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work"; "Her recent divorce may explain her reluctance to date again". wn

[5] #5 excuse v. [apologize, apologise, justify, rationalize, rationalise] defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning; "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success". wn