apologise

Apologise is the British English verb meaning to express regret for having done something wrong or hurtful, or to seek forgiveness. The American spelling is apologize, and the related noun forms are apology and apologies. An apology can range from a brief admission of fault to a formal statement of contrition.

The word derives from Old French apologier, from Latin apologus?apologia, which in turn comes from Greek apologia, meaning a speech in defense. English usage shifted from defense to expressing regret in the early modern period, so today apologise is used to acknowledge fault and seek reconciliation.

An effective apology typically includes several elements: acknowledging the specific action, taking responsibility without excusing the conduct, expressing sincere remorse, and, where appropriate, offering remedy or restitution and a promise not to repeat the offense. The tone should be sincere and direct, avoiding defensive explanations that can undermine the apology.

Cultural and social contexts influence how apologies are granted and received. In many cultures, apologies help repair relationships and restore trust, while the formality, timing, and phrasing vary by situation. Formal apologies may use phrases such as Please accept my sincere apologies for…, whereas informal ones might be as simple as Sorry about that.

Related terms include apology (the noun), apologetic, and common phrases such as I am sorry or I apologize for…, with variations in spelling depending on the regional variety of English.