Atone for Meaning in English
expression
əˈtoʊn/ /ˈfɔɹ/, /fɝ/, /fɹɝ
uh-TONE for
ɐtˈəʊn/ /fˈɔː
uh-TONE faw
Definition
To do something good or make up for something bad you did, especially to show you are sorry for a mistake or a wrongdoing.
Usage & Nuances
Formal and somewhat literary or religious tone; often used with 'sins', 'mistakes', or 'wrongs' (e.g., 'atone for your sins'). Not the same as simple apology—implies taking action to make things right.
Spanish: expiar - repararPortuguese (BR): expiar - repararPortuguese (PT): expiar - repararChinese (Simplified): 赎罪 - 补偿Chinese (Traditional): 贖罪 - 補償Hindi: प्रायश्चित करनाArabic: يُكَفِّر عن - يُصَحِّحBengali: প্রায়শ্চিত্ত করা - ক্ষতিপূরণ করাRussian: искупать - заглаживать (вину)Japanese: 償う - 贖うVietnamese: chuộc lỗi - đền bùKorean: 속죄하다 - 죗값을 치르다Turkish: kefaret etmek - telafi etmekUrdu: کفارہ ادا کرنا - تلافی کرناIndonesian: menebus - menebus dosa
Example Sentences
He wanted to atone for his mistakes.
basic
She gave money to charity to atone for her past actions.
basic
People sometimes fast to atone for their sins.
basic
He's been volunteering at the shelter to atone for what he did last year.
natural
Nothing can really atone for the pain he caused, but he tries.
natural
She apologized, but she still feels she has to atone for breaking his trust.
natural