- Main Entry:
- ac·knowl·edge
- Pronunciation:
-
\ik-ˈnä-lij, ak-\
- Function:
- transitive verb
- Inflected Form(s):
- ac·knowl·edged; ac·knowl·edg·ing
- Etymology:
- ac- (as in accord) + knowledge
- Date:
- 15th century
1: to recognize the rights, authority, or status of2: to disclose knowledge of or agreement with3 a: to express gratitude or obligation for <acknowledge a gift> b: to take notice of <failed to acknowledge my greeting> c: to make known the receipt of <acknowledge a letter>4: to recognize as genuine or valid <acknowledge a debt>
synonyms acknowledge,
admit,
own,
avow,
confess mean to disclose against one's will or inclination.
acknowledge implies the disclosing of something that has been or might be concealed
<acknowledged an earlier peccadillo>.
admit implies reluctance to disclose, grant, or concede and refers usually to facts rather than their implications
<admitted the project was over budget>.
own implies acknowledging something in close relation to oneself
<must own I know little about computers>.
avow implies boldly declaring, often in the face of hostility, what one might be expected to be silent about
<avowed that he was a revolutionary>.
confess may apply to an admission of a weakness, failure, omission, or guilt
<confessed a weakness for sweets>.
