amends

[ uh-mendz ]

noun

, (used with a singular or plural verb)

1. reparation or compensation for a loss, damage, or injury of any kind; recompense.

   Synonyms: restitution, redress

2. Obsolete. improvement; recovery, as of health.

amends

/ əˈmɛndz /

noun

1. functioning as singular recompense or compensation given or gained for some injury, insult, etc

   to make amends

Word History and Origins

Origin of amends¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English amendes, from Middle French, plural of amende “reparation,” noun derivative of amender “to repair, correct errors in, improve the condition of”; amend

Word History and Origins

Origin of amends¹

C13: from Old French amendes fines, from amende compensation, from amender to emend

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. make amends, to compensate, as for an injury, loss, or insult:

   I tried to make amends for the misunderstanding by sending her flowers.

More idioms and phrases containing amends

see make amends .

Example Sentences

That night, Payne attended former bandmate Niall Horan’s show at the Movistar Arena, where the two allegedly made amends after not being in contact for some time.

From Los Angeles Times

The singer-poet, promoting a new album with 33-year-old son Art Garfunkel Jr., also revealed that he and Simon will reconnect again and that their lunch meeting “was about wanting to make amends before it’s too late.”

From Los Angeles Times

The measure amends the state Constitution to recognize a “fundamental right to marry, regardless of sex or race.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I'm going to go somewhere and return to whatever the self is I can recognize,” which is why she originally says, “Hey, I'm leaving. I'm going to Tarpon Springs. Let me go around and make amends to all the folks in my life and tell them I'm out of here. Let me sign these divorce papers. Let me tell my daughter I'm leaving.”

From Salon

Reparations are measures to make amends for past actions deemed wrong or unfair.

From BBC

Related Words

• apology
• redress
• reparation
• restitution