amends

Everyday

1. Something you do to show you are sorry and to put right a wrong you did. tree →
2. To make amends for something can also mean to make up for a fault or lack so that it is balanced out. tree →

In the lessons

Used in stories and everyday life about saying sorry with actions: make amends for breaking a friend's toy. It tells the reader a character is trying to fix a mistake. Phrases: make amends, make amends for, make amends to someone.

Examples

• He made amends by buying her a new pencil case. tree →
• I want to make amends for being rude. tree →
• She made amends to her brother by sharing her sweets. tree →
• The team made amends for last week's loss by winning. tree →
• You can make amends by helping clean up. tree →
• It's never too late to make amends. tree →
• To the second son, whose wisdom and prudence made amends for his being rather dull, she gave the government of the earth. tree →

Note

Used almost only in "make amends", and always with -s. Not the same as "amend" (verb: to change or correct a text or law). Noun from the verb: amendment.

In Jewish tradition

In Proverbs, it means making up for a wrong, though fools make light of it.

Interpretation. Commentators note that fools laugh at guilt, while honest people seek to repair what they did wrong.

Examples

• Amends pleadeth for fools; but among the upright there is good will. (Writings PRO.14.9, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Used almost only in "make amends", and always with -s. Not the same as "amend" (verb: to change or correct a text or law). Noun from the verb: amendment.