excuse me
/ˈɛkskjʊz miː/phrase★Intermediate💡 Apologize for interruption or to get attention
formalinformal
A polite expression used to apologize for interrupting, to get someone's attention, or to excuse oneself temporarily.
Excuse me, I need to leave for a minute.
Used to excuse oneself
Excuse me, sir, but this is my seat.
Used to politely assert something
💡
Can be used in both formal and informal settings, depending on the tone and situation.
Collocations
excuse me for askingPolite preface to a questionexcuse me for interruptingApology for cutting in
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Usage Tip
Use 'excuse me' for polite interruptions or to draw attention in both formal and informal settings.
📖Word Origin
From Old French 'excuser', meaning to free from blame or obligation, combined with 'me' (subject).
📝Usage Notes
Versatile phrase for various polite interruptions or excuses.
English Dictionary