apologize

verb

apol·​o·​gize ə-ˈpä-lə-ˌjīz 

apologized; apologizing

intransitive verb

: to express regret for something done or said : to make an apology

He apologized for his mistake.

She apologized to us for losing her temper.

apologizer noun

Did you know?

Does apologize always mean "to say 'I'm sorry'"?

The verb apologize is a surprisingly recent introduction to the English language when one stops to consider that we have likely been committing deeds which require an apology since time immemorial. Our earliest current record of use comes at the end of the 16th century, in the writing of Thomas Nash:

”….but as the Elephant and the Rinoceros neuer fight but about the best pastures, so will I winne from him his best Patrons, and driue him to confesse himselfe a Conundrum, who now thinks he hath learning inough to proue the saluation of Lucifer; Apologize it for him as many Chutes, Barnesses, or vile riggers, or Fregeuiles as there will.”

The earliest uses of apologize more often meant “to offer an excuse or defense” than “to acknowledge a fault.” The verb came into our language from the noun apology, which similarly had an initial meaning (beginning in the early 16th century) that did not necessarily acknowledge fault (“something said or written in defense or justification of what appears to others to be wrong or of what may be liable to disapprobation”).

Examples of apologize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Listen to this article With Republicans and staff members calling for his resignation, a Connecticut college leader apologized Tuesday for lavish spending of taxpayer dollars that has prompted sharp criticisms. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2025

So Far The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time Days later, according to reporting from Bloomberg, Potter’s attorney received a letter from Clare Locke instructing her to amend the post, apologize, and disavow threats of violence that UnitedHealth claimed had stemmed from the video. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 9 Feb. 2025

After the comment, Black apologized and announced that the group would take a break in light of criticism from Australia’s right-wing over the joke Gass made at a show in Sydney in July when Black rolled out a birthday cake for his longtime musical mate and asked him to make a wish. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 7 Feb. 2025

Neither had spoken to Gascón, who apologized the same day the posts went viral. —EW.com, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "to speak in justification (of)," from apology + -ize

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing apologize

• apologize for

Kids Definition

apologize

verb

apol·​o·​gize ə-ˈpäl-ə-ˌjīz 

apologized; apologizing

: to make an apology

apologizer noun