1 a [count] : a reason that you give to explain a mistake, bad behavior, etc.
▪ What's your excuse for being so late? ▪ She had no valid excuse for not finishing her homework. ▪ He's always making excuses for himself. ▪ a lame/flimsy excuse
b excuses [plural] : reasons that you give to explain politely why you cannot do something, why you have to leave, etc.
▪ I won't be able to come to the wedding. Please give my excuses to your cousin. [=please tell your cousin that I'm sorry I won't be able to come] ▪ I made my excuses and left. 2 [count] : something (such as a condition or set of conditions) that explains improper behavior and makes it acceptable — usually used in negative statements ▪ There is no excuse for child abuse. ▪ His youth is no excuse for his irresponsible behavior. 3 [count] : a reason for doing something
▪ His birthday gives us a good excuse for a party. ▪ She'll use any excuse [=pretext] to wallow in self-pity. 4 [count] : a poor example — + for ▪ He's a poor/sad excuse for a father. [=he's a bad father] ▪ That pile of junk is a sorry excuse for a car!