prétexte — meaning in English

English meaning

• excuse verb To forgive someone, or overlook a minor fault.
• guise noun A false or deceptive outward appearance adopted to hide the truth.
• pretext noun A false reason given to hide the real motive behind an action.

Senses

prétexte is used for these senses in English:

• excuse (countable, uncountable) An explanation designed to avoid or alleviate guilt or negative judgment; a plea offered in extenuation of a fault.
• guise A misleading appearance; a cover, a cloak.
• pretext A false, contrived, or assumed purpose or reason; a pretense.

excuse — full definition

1. verb To forgive someone, or overlook a minor fault.
2. verb To release someone from a duty or allow them to leave.
3. noun A reason given to justify a mistake or avoid blame.

guise — full definition

1. noun A false or deceptive outward appearance adopted to hide the truth.
2. noun A style of dress or way of presenting oneself.

Related French words