apology

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a poor example

   it was an apology for a meal

2. 2
   noun

   an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone

   They wrote a letter of apology to the server.

3. 3
   noun

   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.

4. 4
   noun

   A formal justification, defence.

   the Apology of Socrates

5. 5
   noun

   Anything provided as a substitute; a makeshift.

   a poor apology for a hotel room

6. 6
   noun

   a formal written defense of something you believe in strongly

Etymology

From French apologie, from Late Latin apologia, from Ancient Greek ἀπολογία (apología, “a speech in defence”), from ἀπολογοῦμαι (apologoûmai, “I speak in my defense”), from ἀπόλογος (apólogos, “an account, story”), from ἀπό (apó, “from, off”) (see apo-) + λόγος (lógos, “speech”). Doublet of apologia. By surface analysis, apo- + -logy.