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



apology (plural apologies)

  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 Dickens
      He goes to work devising apologies for window curtains.


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