excuse-me
High (A1)Informal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
A polite phrase used to apologise for or before an interruption, to get someone's attention, or when leaving a conversation.
Can refer to a polite remark or gesture made when inconveniencing others (e.g., bumping into someone). Also used humorously or ironically when someone makes an obvious or unwelcome statement.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a spoken interjection. Often hyphenated when referring to the fixed phrase itself ('an excuse-me') but commonly written as separate words ('excuse me') in usage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. British English might use 'sorry' more interchangeably in contexts of physical contact (e.g., bumping). The phrase 'pardon me' is slightly more formal and used in both, but 'excuse me' is more universal.
Connotations
Equally polite in both variants. In British English, tone and intonation are critical for distinguishing genuine politeness from sarcasm.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both dialects. Slightly more common in American English for initial attention-getting ('Excuse me, do you have the time?').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
INTERJECTION [as a standalone phrase]VERB + OBJECT (excuse me)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “'Excuse-me dance' (a style of dancing where partners are swapped)”
- “'Excuse-me' look (an apologetic facial expression)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to politely enter a conversation or meeting. 'Excuse me, may I add something to that point?'
Academic
Used by a student to ask a question during a lecture.
Everyday
High frequency: asking for attention, apologising for minor bumps, leaving a table.
Technical
Rare. Might be used in user interface design ('Excuse me' as a prompt for interruption).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Would you excuse me for a moment? I need to take this call.
- Please excuse me while I pop to the loo.
American English
- Excuse me, I have to run to the restroom.
- You'll have to excuse me; I'm running late for a meeting.
adjective
British English
- He gave her an excuse-me look before squeezing past.
- It was just an excuse-me nod, not a proper apology.
American English
- She shot him an excuse-me glance as she reached for the salt.
- He offered an excuse-me smile after bumping the chair.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- "Excuse me, where is the station?"
- "Excuse me, you dropped your pen."
- "Excuse me, can I get past?"
- Excuse me, but I think you've misunderstood my point.
- She said 'excuse me' quietly as she edged through the crowd.
- Excuse me, could you please repeat the question?
- 'Excuse me,' he interjected, 'but the data doesn't support that conclusion.'
- With a muttered excuse-me, he reached across me to grab the menu.
- You'll have to excuse me; I find that line of reasoning fundamentally flawed.
- His contribution was little more than an intellectual 'excuse me'—politely stated but adding no substance.
- The chair recognised her after a pointed 'Excuse me, Madam Chairwoman' cut through the procedural debate.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'EXit' + 'CUE' + 'ME'. When you need a 'cue' to exit a crowd or get attention, it's 'excuse me'.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITENESS IS A SOCIAL LUBRICANT (the phrase smoothes over social friction).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'Извините меня' in all contexts; use 'sorry' for apologies after a mistake.
- Do not overuse 'excuse me' for 'простите' when expressing sympathy.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'excuse me' for major apologies (use 'I'm sorry').
- Pronouncing it as 'ex-kyooz-mee' (incorrect stress).
- Omitting it entirely when pushing past someone.
Practice
Quiz
In which situation is 'excuse me' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Its primary uses are: 1) To get someone's attention. 2) To apologise for a minor interruption or contact. 3) To politely interrupt a speaker. 4) To signal you are leaving a conversation.
'Excuse me' is often proactive (before an action) or for getting attention. 'Sorry' is typically reactive (after a mistake). You say 'excuse me' before bumping past someone; you say 'sorry' after you've bumped them.
Yes, depending on tone and context. A sharp, loud 'Excuse me!' can express irritation, implying the other person is in your way or has offended you.
When used as a standalone interjection, it's typically written as separate words: 'Excuse me.' The hyphenated form 'excuse-me' is used when referring to the phrase as a noun ('He gave a quick excuse-me').