verb

excuse

Translation

to forgive, to pardon, to justify

Please excuse my late arrival.

Can I be excused from the meeting?

He tried to excuse his bad behaviour.

He tried to excuse his bad behavior.

((sb.)) ((for sth./-ing)) to forgive (sb.) for (sth.) Please excuse me for being late.

((sb.)) ((from sth.)) to allow (sb.) to not do (sth.) The teacher excused him from the test.

Synonyms: forgive, pardon, justify; Antonyms: blame, accuse

From Latin 'ex-' (out of) + 'causa' (cause, lawsuit), meaning 'to free from a charge'.

Think 'EX-cause' - to give a cause or reason to get 'out of' trouble or a duty.