pardon
pardon Lexical Profile
pardon Game Scores & Validity
• interjection
Used as a polite request for a speaker to repeat something that was not heard or understood.
"Pardon? I couldn't quite hear what you said over the noise of the train."
Used to apologize politely for a minor social faux pas, interruption, or accidental bump.
"Pardon, I didn't realize someone was already sitting in this chair."
• noun
The action of forgiving or being forgiven for an error, offense, or discourtesy.
"He begged her pardon for arriving so late to the dinner party."
An official decision by a head of state or legal authority to exempt a convicted person from the legal consequences and punishment of a crime.
"The governor granted a full pardon to the prisoner after new evidence came to light."
• verb
To forgive or excuse a person, error, or minor offense.
"Please pardon the mess in the living room while we finish renovating."
To officially release someone from the legal punishment or consequences of an offense.
"The president decided to pardon several nonviolent offenders before leaving office."
• Rhymes for pardon
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old French pardon, from pardoner ('to forgive'), from Vulgar Latin perdonare ('to grant freely, remit'), formed from Latin per- ('thoroughly') and donare ('to give as a gift').