EXCUSABLE

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does excusable mean? 

• EXCUSABLE (adjective)
  The adjective EXCUSABLE has 2 senses:

1. capable of being overlooked

2. easily excused or forgiven

  Familiarity information: EXCUSABLE used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EXCUSABLE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Capable of being overlooked

Similar:

justifiable (capable of being justified)

Antonym:

inexcusable (without excuse or justification)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Easily excused or forgiven

Synonyms:

excusable; forgivable; venial

Context example:

a venial error

Similar:

pardonable (admitting of being pardoned)

 Context examples 

He little surmised that it was a subject acting now exactly against his interest, bringing immediately to her thoughts all those parts of his conduct which were least excusable.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

It may make many things intelligible and excusable which now are not to be understood.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Perjury, oppression, subornation, fraud, pandarism, and the like infirmities, were among the most excusable arts they had to mention; and for these I gave, as it was reasonable, great allowance.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

It is excusable, for she had a hard life of it: but still it was dangerous; for when Mrs. Poole was fast asleep after the gin and water, the mad lady, who was as cunning as a witch, would take the keys out of her pocket, let herself out of her chamber, and go roaming about the house, doing any wild mischief that came into her head.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

A little delay on his side might be very excusable.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

An old story, probably—a common case—and no more than has happened to hundreds of my sex before; and yet it may not be the more excusable in one who sets up as I do for Understanding.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

He looked, as he spoke, to the seat which Mrs Clay had been lately occupying: a sufficient explanation of what he particularly meant; and though Anne could not believe in their having the same sort of pride, she was pleased with him for not liking Mrs Clay; and her conscience admitted that his wishing to promote her father's getting great acquaintance was more than excusable in the view of defeating her.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)