n.

1. a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.;
   alibi, exculpation, self-justification
   
   • he kept finding excuses to stay
   • every day he had a new alibi for not getting a job
   • his transparent self-justification was unacceptable
2. a note explaining an absence
   
   • he had to get his mother to write an excuse for him
3. a poor example;
   apology
   
   • it was an apology for a meal
   • a poor excuse for an automobile

v.

1. accept an excuse for;
   pardon
   
   • Please excuse my dirty hands
2. grant exemption or release to;
   relieve, let off, exempt
   
   • Please excuse me from this class
3. serve as a reason or cause or justification of;
   explain
   
   • Your need to sleep late does not excuse your late arrival at work
   • Her recent divorce may explain her reluctance to date again
4. defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning;
   apologize, apologise, justify, rationalize, rationalise
   
   • rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior
   • he rationalized his lack of success
5. ask for permission to be released from an engagement;
   beg off
6. excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with;
   condone
   
   • excuse someone's behavior
   • She condoned her husband's occasional infidelities