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apologetic — showing or expressing regret or remorse for having done or said something wrong

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: showing or expressing regret or remorse for having done or said something wrong

Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈpɑːləˌdʒetɪk/

Example Sentences

  • She was apologetic about eating the last slice of pizza that wasn't hers.
  • The manager was apologetic for the delayed flight and offered free snacks.
  • My cat looked surprisingly apologetic after knocking over my houseplant.

apologetic

ADJECTIVE

[/əˈpɑːləˌdʒetɪk/]

showing or expressing regret or remorse for having done or said something wrong

a young person stands with downcast eyes and clasped hands, bowing slightly toward their parent. Their posture shows genuine remorse as they gesture toward a broken coffee mug on the floor. The shattered pieces lie scattered near spilled coffee that has spread across the kitchen tiles. The parent's expression softens from initial surprise to understanding as they see the sincere regret. Other family members pause their breakfast to witness this moment of accountability. The kitchen atmosphere shifts from morning chaos to a tender moment of reconciliation.  someone expressing regret and remorse for having done something wrong
💡 Concept

a young person stands with downcast eyes and clasped hands, bowing slightly toward their parent. Their posture shows genuine remorse as they gesture toward a broken coffee mug on the floor. The shattered pieces lie scattered near spilled coffee that has spread across the kitchen tiles. The parent's expression softens from initial surprise to understanding as they see the sincere regret. Other family members pause their breakfast to witness this moment of accountability. The kitchen atmosphere shifts from morning chaos to a tender moment of reconciliation. someone expressing regret and remorse for having done something wrong

The athletic champion feels apologetic, not pathetic
🎵 Rhyme

The athletic champion feels apologetic, not pathetic

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/əˈpɑːləˌdʒetɪk/
🇬🇧 UK/əˌpɒləˈdʒetɪk/

🌳Etymology

Rootapolog
Suffix--etic

Origin

Derived from Greek 'apologia', meaning 'defence' or 'vindication'. In ancient Greece, philosophers used this term to defend their ideas in formal arguments. The meaning evolved from 'offering a defence' to the modern sense of 'expressing regret or making amends'.

Breakdown

apologia (Greek: defence, speech in defence) + -etic (suffix forming adjectives). The root 'apo-' means 'away from' and 'logia' derives from 'logos' (speech, word).

🎵Rhyme

pathetic
athletic
aesthetic

🔗Collocations

apologetic tone
apologetic smile
apologetic gesture
feel apologetic
apologetic look
apologetic letter

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“She was apologetic about eating the last slice of pizza that wasn't hers.”

“The manager was apologetic for the delayed flight and offered free snacks.”

😄 Fun example

“My cat looked surprisingly apologetic after knocking over my houseplant.”

“He sent an apologetic text message after forgetting our dinner date.”

📚Related Words

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