pardon

1 interjection especially BrE

1 used when you want someone to repeat something because you did not hear it: Pardon, you'll have to talk louder, I can't hear you. | "Is it hanging up in your bedroom?" "Pardon?" "I said is it in your bedroom?"

2 used to say 'sorry' after you have made an impolite sound such as a burp or yawn

2 verb (T)

1 to officially allow someone to be free without being punished, although a court has proved that they are guilty of a crime: The governor pardoned the two offenders.

2 (not in progressive) old-fashioned to forgive someone for behaving badly: I hope you will pardon my son's little outburst at dinner.

3 sb may be pardoned for doing sth used to say that it is easy to understand why someone has done something or why they think something: Anyone reading the advertisement might be pardoned for thinking that the offer was genuine.

4 pardon me

a) used to say 'sorry' politely when you have accidentally pushed someone, interrupted them etc: Oh, pardon me, I didn't mean to disturb you.

b) used to say 'sorry' politely when you have accidentally pushed someone, interrupted them etc: Oh, pardon me, I didn't mean to disturb you.

c) used to say 'sorry' politely after you have made an impolite sound such as a burp (1) or a yawn 2 (1)

d) used before you politely correct someone or disagree with them: Pardon me, but I think you've got your facts wrong.

e) old-fashioned, especially AmE used to politely get someone's attention in order to ask them a question: Pardon me, can you direct me to City Hall?

5 pardon me for interrupting/asking/saying especially BrE used to politely ask if you can interrupt someone, ask something etc: Pardon me for saying so, but you're doing that all wrong.

6 pardon my ignorance/rudeness etc used when you think that you may seem not to know enough, not to be polite enough etc: Pardon my ignorance, but what does OPEC stand for?

7 if you'll pardon the expression used when you are saying sorry for using a slightly impolite phrase: It was a bit of a cock-up, if you'll pardon the expression.

8 pardon my French humorous used to say sorry after you have said an impolite word

9 pardon me for breathing/living used when you are annoyed because you think someone has answered you angrily for no good reason

3 noun

1 (I) beg your pardon

a) spoken used when politely saying sorry because you have just made a mistake: I beg your pardon, I meant the green one. | I do beg your pardon, I thought you were someone else.

b) used to politely ask someone to repeat something because you did not hear it: “I think the radiator's leaking.” “Beg your pardon?” “The radiator, I think it's leaking.”

c) used to politely say sorry because you have accidentally touched someone, stepped on their foot, burped burp (1) etc

d) used when you are strongly or angrily disagreeing with what someone has just said: I beg your pardon, I never said that at all.

e) used when you are surprised or shocked by what someone has just said: “I'm ready to pay -20,00.” “I beg your pardon, are you serious?”

—see excuse 1

2 (C) an official order allowing someone to be free and stopping their punishment, although a court has proved them guilty of a crime: grant/give sb a pardon: Tyler was convicted but was granted a royal pardon.

3 (U) old-fashioned the act of forgiving someone: ask/beg sb's pardon (for) (=ask someone to forgive you): Walter begged her pardon for all the pain he had caused her.