apologizing
|a-pol-o-giz-ing|
🇺🇸
/əˈpɑːlədʒaɪz/
🇬🇧
/əˈpɒlədʒaɪz/
(apologize)
express regret
Etymology
'apologize' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'apologia', where 'apo-' meant 'away/from' and 'logos' meant 'speech'.
'apologia' passed into Late Latin as 'apologia' and through Medieval Latin and French influenced English; the verb form was formed with the Greek-derived suffix '-ize' to create Middle/early modern English 'apologize'.
Initially, it meant 'a speech in defense' or 'to defend oneself in words', but over time it evolved into the current common meaning of 'to express regret or say sorry'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act of apologizing; the instance or process of saying sorry (gerund used as a noun).
Apologizing helped him mend the relationship.
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Verb 1
present participle of 'apologize'; to express regret for an action or offense, often to ask forgiveness.
She is apologizing for missing the meeting.
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Last updated: 2025/09/20 16:32