Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

atone

verb \ ə-ˈtōn \
|Updated on: 30 May 2018

Definition of atone

atoned; atoning
intransitive verb
: to make amends : to provide or serve as reparation or compensation for something bad or unwelcome —usually + for
  • He wanted to atone for his sins.
  • But I think that he has within him a capacity for love, and an unselfishness, which almost atones for his dishonesty.
  • —Anthony Trollope
transitive verb
1 : to make reparation or supply satisfaction for : expiate —used in the passive voice with for
  • a crime that must be atoned for
2 obsolete : reconcile

See atone defined for English-language learners

See atone defined for kids

atone was our Word of the Day on 05/19/2013. Hear the podcast!

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Get Word of the Day daily email, delivered to your inbox!

Recent Examples of atone from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'atone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Atone comes to us from the combination in Middle English of at and on, the latter of which is an old variant of one. Together they meant "in harmony." (In current English, we use at one with a similar suggestion of harmony in such phrases as "at one with nature.") When it first entered English, atone meant "to reconcile and suggested the restoration of a peaceful and harmonious state between people or groups." These days the verb specifically implies addressing the damage (or disharmony) caused by one's own behavior.

Origin and Etymology of atone

Middle English, to become reconciled, from at on in harmony, from at + on one

ATONE Defined for English Language Learners

atone

verb

Definition of atone for English Language Learners

  • : to do something good as a way to show that you are sorry about doing something bad

ATONE Defined for Kids

atone

verb \ ə-ˈtōn \

Definition of atone for Students

atoned; atoning
: to do something to make up for a wrong
  • … her grandmother watched over her with untiring devotion, as if trying to atone for some past mistake …
  • —Louisa May Alcott, Little Women

Learn More about atone

  1. See words that rhyme with atone Spanish Central: Translation of atone Britannica English: Translation of atone for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up atone? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

amortize

play

to pay off by making regular payments

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

  2. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  3. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  4. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  5. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

atone

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a-closeup-of-a-sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games