Understanding the Difference Between Apologise and Apologize

Apologise vs. Apologize

Both “apologise” and “apologize” mean the same thing. They both mean to say sorry for something you did wrong. The difference between them is the way they are spelled.

History

“Apologise” is the British English spelling, while “apologize” is the American English spelling. English speakers in different parts of the world use different spellings.

How to Use Them

Use “apologise” when writing in British English and “apologize” when writing in American English.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Think of the letter “z” in “apologize” as the “s” in “USA”. This can help you remember that “apologize” is used in the USA, while “apologise” is for the UK.

Examples: Apologise

• I apologise for being late.
• She will apologise to her friend tomorrow.
• We must apologise for the noise we made.
• He forgot to apologise to his teacher.
• They always apologise when they make a mistake.

Examples: Apologize

• I apologize for the confusion.
• He needs to apologize for his behavior.
• We should apologize to her for the misunderstanding.
• They will apologize when they are ready.
• She didn’t apologize after realizing her mistake.

Summary

“Apologise” and “apologize” both mean to say sorry. Use “apologise” in British English and “apologize” in American English. Remember the “z” in “apologize” to think of the “s” in “USA.”