Atone
/əˈtoʊn/
verbIntermediate📊CommonGeneral
1 meaning2 questions
Definitions
1
To make amends for wrongdoing.
/əˈtoʊn/
verbneutralIntermediate
General
To make amends or reparation for (a wrong doing).
She atoned for her lies with a heartfelt apology.
💡 Simply: To fix a mistake or wrong.
More Examples
2
He tried to atone for his past mistakes by volunteering.
How It's Used
Religious
"He sought to atone for his sins."
Legal
"The company attempted to atone for its environmental damage."
From Old English *atonien, from at- + -ōnian, from on ‘one’. Originally meaning ‘to be at one’ (reconciled).
The word's religious connotations have been present since its Old English origins.
Memory tip
Think 'at one' – to become at one with those you've wronged.
Word Origin
Original meaning
"to be at one"
atone for one's sinsatone for a mistake
Common misspellings
atone
Practice
Usage
30%Spoken
70%Written