'apologize' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'apologia', where 'apo-' meant 'away from' and 'logos' meant 'speech'.

'apologia' passed into Late Latin and Old French and came into English as 'apology'; the verb 'apologize' was formed in English (mid-16th century) by adding the suffix '-ize' to 'apology'.

Initially, it meant 'a speech in defense' (a formal defense); over time it evolved into the modern verb sense 'to express regret or say sorry'.