apologise
gb/əpˈɑləd͡ʒˌaɪz/ us/əpˈɑləd͡ʒˌaɪz/
B1
English
bocsánatot kér, elnézést kér, valaki/valami védelmében érvel, igazol
VERB
B1
1
elnézést kér
A2
Usage pattern:
apologise (to [someone]) (for [something]/for doing [something])
I apologised to Mia for forgetting her birthday.
Bocsánatot kértem Miától, amiért elfelejtettem a születésnapját.
The company apologised for the disruption to the service.
A vállalat bocsánatot kért a szolgáltatásban bekövetkezett fennakadásért.
He apologised for speaking so abruptly in the meeting.
Learner examples
I apologise for being late.
Elnézést kérek a késésért.
She apologised to her teacher.
Bocsánatot kért a tanárától.
Common mistake:
Spelling: British English apologise; American English apologize. Also: apologise to someone for something (not *apologise someone*).
Meaning
say sorry; express regret
Collocations
apologise sincerely
|apologise profusely
|apologise immediately
|apologise publicly
|apologise to customers
|apologise to your neighbour
|apologise for being late
|apologise for the mistake
|apologise for the delay
|apologise for the inconvenience
Synonyms
say sorry (More informal and conversational.)
|
offer an apology (Slightly more formal.)
|
express regret (More formal and often used in public statements.)
Antonyms
blame (Instead of accepting fault, you put responsibility on someone else.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|social
Definition
To say you are sorry.
To tell someone that you are sorry for something you have done or for a problem you have caused.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
apologise for [idea/action/person]
The author refuses to apologise for his political views.
A szerző nem hajlandó politikai nézetei védelmében érvelni.
She was invited to the panel to apologise for the government's approach.
Azért hívták meg a panelbeszélgetésre, hogy a kormány megközelítésének védelmében érveljen.
He spent the interview apologising for the decision to close the library.
Learner examples
In this article, she apologises for the plan.
Ebben a cikkben a terv védelmében érvel.
Common mistake:
This sense is formal and much less common than 'say sorry'. In everyday English, use defend or justify.
Meaning
defend or justify something
Collocations
apologise for a policy
|apologise for a decision
|apologise for a regime
|apologise for the proposal
|apologise for his conduct
|apologise for the practice
|apologise for the tradition
|apologise for the approach
Synonyms
defend (More common; does not imply any admission of fault.)
|
justify (Focuses on showing something is reasonable or right.)
Antonyms
condemn (To strongly criticise rather than defend.)
Themes
communication
|academic
|law_and_politics
Definition
To give reasons to defend something.
To defend or justify an idea, action, or person, especially in a formal way.
Grammar
Dictionary form
apologise
IPA
GB/əpˈɑləd͡ʒˌaɪz/
US/əpˈɑləd͡ʒˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
apo - lo - gise (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (lo)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: apologise
- Variant Spelling: apologize
- 3rd Person Singular: apologises
- Present Participle: apologising
- Past: apologised
Word family
Expressions
apologise for oneself
1/əpˈɑləd͡ʒˌaɪz fɚ wˌʌnsˈɛlf/
idiom
formal
defend oneself; explain oneself
To explain and defend yourself.
Examples
- He refused to apologise for himself and walked out of the room.
- She felt she didn’t need to apologise for herself after speaking up.
- I’m tired of apologising for myself every time I set a boundary.
apologise for the delay
1/əpˈɑləd͡ʒˌaɪz fɚ ðə dɪlˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
say sorry for being late
To say sorry something is late.
Examples
- I apologise for the delay in replying to your email.
- They apologised for the delay and said the package would arrive tomorrow.
- Sorry to keep you waiting—I apologise for the delay.
Learner examples
- I apologise for the delay.
apologise for the inconvenience
1/əpˈɑləd͡ʒˌaɪz fɚ ðə ˌɪŋkənvˈinjəns/
fixed phrase
business
standard service apology
A polite business way to say sorry for trouble.
Examples
- We apologise for the inconvenience caused by the temporary closure.
- The airline apologised for the inconvenience and offered meal vouchers.
- I apologise for the inconvenience—our system is currently down.
Learner examples
- We apologise for the inconvenience.
apologise in advance
1/əpˈɑləd͡ʒˌaɪz ˈɪn ədvˈæns/
fixed phrase
say sorry before it happens
To say sorry before a possible problem.
Examples
- I apologise in advance for the noise during the renovation.
- She apologised in advance for asking so many questions.
- We apologise in advance if any items are out of stock.
Learner examples
- I apologise in advance for the noise.
apologise on behalf of [someone]
1/əpˈɑləd͡ʒˌaɪz ˈɔn bɪhˈæf əv sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
formal
say sorry for someone else
To say sorry for another person.
Examples
- I’d like to apologise on behalf of the whole team for the mistake.
- She apologised on behalf of her colleague, who couldn’t attend.
- The spokesperson apologised on behalf of the company.
Learner examples
- I apologise on behalf of my manager.
apologise unreservedly
1/əpˈɑləd͡ʒˌaɪz ʌnɹizˈɚvdli/
fixed phrase
formal
apologise fully and clearly
To say sorry in a very complete way.
Examples
- The newspaper apologised unreservedly for the false story.
- He apologised unreservedly to everyone affected by his comments.
- We apologise unreservedly for the distress this has caused.
i apologise
1/ˈaɪ əpˈɑləd͡ʒˌaɪz/
fixed phrase
formal
formal way to say sorry
A formal way to say “I’m sorry.”
Examples
- I apologise—I'm afraid I gave you the wrong time.
- I apologise for the confusion; the meeting is tomorrow.
- I apologise if my email sounded abrupt.
Learner examples
- I apologise for the mistake.
i apologise, but ...
1/ˈaɪ əpˈɑləd͡ʒˌaɪz | bˈʌt |/
fixed phrase
formal
polite way to disagree
A polite way to say you disagree.
Examples
- I apologise, but that's not what the report says.
- I apologise, but we can't approve the request without a signature.
- I apologise, but I think you've misunderstood my point.
Learner examples
- I apologise, but I can’t help today.