apology

[ uh-pol-uh-jee ]
/ əˈpɒl ə dʒi /

noun, plural a·pol·o·gies.

a written or spoken expression of one's regret, remorse, or sorrow for having insulted, failed, injured, or wronged another: He demanded an apology from me for calling him a crook.
a defense, excuse, or justification in speech or writing, as for a cause or doctrine.
(initial capital letter, italics) a dialogue by Plato, centering on Socrates' defense before the tribunal that condemned him to death.
an inferior specimen or substitute; makeshift: The tramp wore a sad apology for a hat.

Origin of apology

1400–50; earlier apologie, late Middle English apologe (< Middle French) < Late Latin apologia < Greek; see apologia

OTHER WORDS FROM apology

re·a·pol·o·gy, noun, plural re·a·pol·o·gies. su·per·a·pol·o·gy, noun, plural su·per·a·pol·o·gies.

Example sentences from the Web for apologies

British Dictionary definitions for apologies

apology
/ (əˈpɒlədʒɪ) /

noun plural -gies

an oral or written expression of regret or contrition for a fault or failing
a poor substitute or offering
another word for apologia

Word Origin for apology

C16: from Old French apologie, from Late Latin apologia, from Greek: a verbal defence, from apo- + logos speech