Apology

Pronunciation

• IPA: /əˈpÉ’l.É™.dÊ’i/

Alternative forms

• apologie archaic

Origin

From French apologie, from Late Latin apologia, from Ancient Greek ἀπολογία (apologia, "a speech in defence"), from ἀπολογοῦμαι (apologoumai, "I speak in one's defense"), from ἀπόλογος (apologos, "an account, story"), from ἀπό (apo, "from, off") (see apo-) + λόγος (logos, "speech").

Full definition of apology

Noun

1. An expression of remorse or regret for having said or done something that harmed another: an instance of apologizing (saying that one is sorry).What he said really hurt my feelings, but his apology sounded so sincere that I couldn't help but forgive him.The CEO made a public apology for the scandal, and promised full cooperation with the authorities.
2. A formal justification, defence.The Apology of Socrates.
3. Anything provided as a substitute; a makeshift.a poor apology for a hotel room
• Charles DickensHe goes to work devising apologies for window curtains.

Synonyms

• (formal justification) apologia

Derived terms

• apologian; apologist; apologize, apologizer

Related terms

• apologetic; apologetics; apologia