Meaning of atone in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /əˈtoʊn/

    US accent Play button

    UK accent Play button

  1. Verb

    atone

    Etymology

    Middle English (originally in the sense ‘make or become united or reconciled’, rare before the 16th century): from at one in early use; later by back-formation from atonement

    Definitions

    1. make amends for

    Examples

    • « expiate one's sins »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. turn away from sin or do penitence

    Derived terms

Famous quotes

  • « We fear doing too little when we should do more. Then atone by doing too much, when perhaps we should do less. »
    Robert Trout
  • « Undeservedly you will atone for the sins of your fathers. »
    Horace
  • « Why should you have to atone for making big movies? »
    Emily Blunt
  • « What is past is past, there is a future left to all men, who have the virtue to repent and the energy to atone. »
    Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton
  • « Neither money nor position can atone to me for low birth. »
    Anthony Trollope

Browse dictionary