atone
uh-TONE
/əˈtoʊn/
To make amends or reparation for an offense or a crime.
Atone implies a deep, often spiritual or moral effort to make things right. It suggests a personal sacrifice to regain favor.
The story behind the word. This is one of the few English words formed from a phrase. In Middle English, to be 'at one' meant to be in agreement or harmony. 'Atone' literally means to bring two parties back into 'oneness.'
Word relationships
- expiate: Expiate is even more formal and often involves a specific ritual or act of cleansing.
- offend: To commit the wrong in the first place.
Commonly confused with
- amends: You 'make amends' (noun phrase), but you 'atone' (verb). Atone is more solemn.
Word family
- atonement (noun): The act of making amends.
Collocations
- atone for sins
- atone for a crime
- seek to atone
Example sentences
- "He spent the rest of his life trying to atone for the mistakes of his youth." A literary theme of redemption.
- "The king sought to atone for his cruelty by building a great cathedral." Historical context.
Memory hook
Atone = 'At-One'. You want to be 'at one' with the person you hurt. Becoming 'at one' again.
When not to use
Too heavy for minor social slips (like being late for coffee). Use 'apologize' instead.
Fun facts
- The word was originally pronounced 'at-one-ment' with three distinct syllables.
Also appears in
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