confesscon‧fess /kənˈfes/ ●●○ verb [intransitive, transitive] 
Edwards confessed to being a spy for the KGB. Occasionally people confess to crimes they haven’t committed just to get attention.confess (that) My husband confessed he’d been having an affair with a woman in his office. Torture was used and Fian confessed.► see thesaurus at admit2to admit something that you feel embarrassed aboutconfess (that) Marsha confessed that she didn’t really know how to work the computer.confess to (doing) something He confessed to having a secret admiration for his opponent.I (have to/must) confess (=used when admitting something you feel slightly embarrassed about) I must confess I don’t visit my parents as often as I should.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually say admit rather than confess:· I know it was him – he admitted it.· I admit I’m not very good with money.3to tell a priest or God about the wrong things you have done so that you can be forgiven: He knelt and confessed his sin.
WORD ORIGINconfess
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French confesser, from Latin confiteri ‘to confess’, from com- ( ➔ COM-) + fateri ‘to confess’VERB TABLE
confess
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | confess |
| he, she, it | confesses | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | confessed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have confessed |
| he, she, it | has confessed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had confessed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will confess |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have confessed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am confessing |
| he, she, it | is confessing | |
| you, we, they | are confessing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was confessing |
| you, we, they | were confessing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been confessing |
| he, she, it | has been confessing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been confessing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be confessing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been confessing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- After two days of questioning, he finally confessed.
- McCarthy confessed to the crime shortly after his arrest.
- She confessed that she had killed her husband.
- Woods was released from jail after the real murderers confessed.
- Crivello shuns salsa in a jar, but Wolhandler confesses to using it at home occasionally for a quick quesadilla.
- However, I must confess that I do not find this to be a serious problem at least, not yet.
- I have confessed to my elders as they have wished.
- Inducements were offered to the debtor to confess his insolvency and be frank in his discussion of assets.
- It isn't something you want to confess to another man.
- When I confessed to Ellie she said she understood.
THESAURUSadmit something is true
to agree unwillingly that something is true: · He admitted that the company was having financial difficulties.· I must admit I was disappointed by their reaction.
formal to admit something in a discussion or argument: · ‘You may be right,’ Bridget conceded.· It was a decision which he now concedes was incorrect.
formal to say that something is true or that a situation exists: · The report acknowledges that research on animals is not always a reliable guide when it comes to humans.· They do not want to acknowledge the fact that things have changed.
to admit something that you feel embarrassed or ashamed about: · Bradley confessed that he struggled to finish the race.· I must confess I don’t like his wife at all.
formal spoken used when admitting that something is true, although you do not think it makes much difference to the main point. Granted is usually used at the beginning of a sentence, or on its own: · She has a lot of experience, I grant you, but she’s not good at managing people.· Granted he did play well in the last game, but generally his form hasn't been very good recently.
admit you have done something wrong to say that you have done something wrong, especially something criminal: · He admitted charges of theft and false accounting.· Bennett admitted killing his wife.
to tell the police or someone in authority that you have done something bad, especially when they have persuaded you to do this: · He finally confessed that he had stolen the money.· They told him that if he confessed he would get a lighter sentence.
to admit that you have done something wrong, usually something that is not very serious. Own up is more informal than admit or confess: · He owned up to the mistake straight away.
informal to admit that you have done something wrong that is not very serious: · Come on, fess up! Where were you last night?
informal to finally admit something bad that you have been trying to hide: · They want the government to come clean on where all the money has gone.
Longman Language Activatorto admit something that you feel embarrassed or ashamed about · "I've always hated flying," Lisa confessed.admit/confess (that) · She admits that she occasionally bets on horses.· Dave confessed he didn't visit his parents as often as he should.admit/confess (to) doing something · Monica admitted playing rather badly in her last match. · He confesses to being afraid of the dark.I must admit/confess (=say this when you do not know something or cannot do something ) · I must admit I was never very good at dancing.· I don't really like kids, I must confess.
say this when you admit something that other people might disagree with or disapprove of: · "What do you think of John?" "To be honest, I don't like him at all."· To tell the truth, I wasn't really listening to what everyone was saying.· To be perfectly honest, I don't think she should have married him.
to admit that you have done something wrong or illegal to say that you have done something wrong or illegal, especially when someone asks or persuades you to do this: admit (that): · Rachel admitted that she had made a mistake.· Blake finally admitted he had stolen the money.admit (to) doing something: · Richard Maldonado admitted accepting bribes.· He admits to stealing the car.admit it spoken: · Admit it! You lied to me!admit responsibility/liability/negligence (=admit publicly that something is legally your fault): · The hospital refused to admit liability for the deaths of the two young children.
to tell the police or someone in a position of authority that you have done something very bad, especially after they have persuaded you to do this: · After two days of questioning, he finally confessed.confess (that): · She confessed that she had killed her husband.confess to a crime/robbery/murder etc: · McCarthy confessed to the crime shortly after his arrest.confess to doing something: · Edwards eventually confessed to being a spy.
to admit that you have done something wrong, especially something that is not serious. Own up is more informal than admit or confess: · Unless the guilty person owns up, the whole class will be punished.own up to (doing) something: · No one owned up to breaking the window.· I made a few mistakes, but I owned up to them.
informal to finally tell the truth or admit that you have done something wrong: · The bank eventually came clean and admitted they had made a mistake.come clean about: · It's time the government came clean about its plans to raise income tax.
especially American, informal to admit that you have done something wrong, but not something that is very serious: · Come on, fess up - you must have been the one who told her because no-one else knew!· If none of you guys fesses up, you're all grounded for a week.
WORD SETSabbess, nounabbey, nounabbot, nounabsolution, nounAdvent, nounalleluia, interjectionaltar boy, nounAnglican, nounAnglo-Catholic, nounapocalyptic, adjectiveapostle, nounapostolic, adjectivearchbishop, nounarchbishopric, nounarchdeacon, nounarchdiocese, nounArk of the Covenant, nounAsh Wednesday, nounAuthorized Version, banns, nounbaptism, nounBaptist, nounbaptize, verbbasilica, nounbeadle, nounbeatify, verbBenedictine, nounbenediction, nounbenefice, nounbiblical, adjectivebiretta, nounbishop, nounbishopric, nounblaspheme, verbblasphemy, nounbrother, nounbull, nounCalvinism, nounCalvinist, adjectivecanon, nouncanonical, adjectivecanonize, verbcanon law, nouncantor, nouncardinal, nouncardinal sin, nouncarol, nouncatechism, nouncathedral, nounCatholic, adjectivechantry, nounchapel, nounchaplain, nounchaplaincy, nounchapter, nounchapterhouse, nouncherub, nounChrist, nounchristen, verbChristendom, nounchristening, nounChristian, nounChristian, adjectivechurch, nounchurchgoer, nounchurchman, nounChurch of England, nounchurchwarden, nounchurchwoman, nounchurchyard, nounclergyman, nounclergywoman, nouncleric, nounclerical, adjectiveclerk, nouncloister, nouncollect, nouncommandment, nouncommunicant, nouncompline, nounconfess, verbconfession, nounconfessional, nounconfessor, nounconfirmation, nouncongregation, nounCongregationalism, nounconsecrate, verbcope, nouncreationist, nouncreche, nouncrib, nouncrosier, nouncrozier, nouncrucifix, nouncrucifixion, nouncrusade, nouncrusade, verbcrypt, nouncuracy, nouncurate, noundeacon, noundeaconess, noundean, noundeanery, noundiocese, noundisciple, noundisestablish, verbdispensation, noundog collar, nounDominican, nounEaster, nounecclesiastic, nounecclesiastical, adjectiveecumenical, adjectiveEden, nounelder, nounencyclical, nounEpiphany, nounepiscopal, adjectiveEpistle, nounevangelical, adjectiveevangelist, nounevangelize, verbevensong, nounexcommunicate, verbexegesis, nounfellowship, nounflagellant, nounflagellate, verbflock, nounfont, nounFr, friar, nounfrock, nounfundamentalist, noungargoyle, noungenuflect, verbgodfather, nounGod-fearing, adjectivegodless, adjectivegodly, adjectivegodmother, noungodparent, noungodson, nounGood Friday, noungrace, noungracious, adjectiveHail Mary, nounharvest festival, nounHigh Church, nounHigh Mass, nounHoly Communion, nounHoly Father, nounHoly Spirit, nounHoly Week, nounHoly Writ, nounhomily, nounhymn book, nounimprimatur, nounincarnation, nouninduct, verbindulgence, nouninquisitor, nouninterdenominational, adjectiveinterdict, nounJehovah, Jesuit, nounJesus, judgment day, nounlay, adjectivelay reader, nounlectern, nounlesson, nounlitany, nounLow Church, nounlychgate, nounMadonna, nounmanna, nounmanse, nounmatins, nounmeeting-house, nounmessianic, adjectiveMethodist, nounminister, nounministerial, adjectiveministry, nounminster, nounmiracle, nounmissal, nounmissionary, nounmitre, nounmoderator, nounMonsignor, nounMorning Prayer, nounmortal sin, nounMother of God, nounMother Superior, nounname day, nounNativity, nounNativity play, nounnave, nounNegro spiritual, nounNoah's ark, nounNonconformist, adjectivenuncio, nounoffertory, nounoratory, nounordination, nounoriginal sin, nounOur Father, nounOur Lady, Our Lord, padre, nounPalm Sunday, nounpapacy, nounpapal, adjectivepapist, nounparable, nounparish, nounparish church, nounparish clerk, nounparishioner, nounparochial, adjectiveparochial school, nounparson, nounparsonage, nounpassion play, nounpastor, nounpatriarch, nounpatron saint, nounpenance, nounpenitent, nounPentecost, nounPentecostal, adjectiveperdition, nounPlymouth Brethren, nounpontiff, nounpontifical, adjectivepontificate, nounPope, nounprayer book, nounpredestination, nounprelate, nounPresbyterian, nounpresbytery, nounpriest, nounPrimate, nounprior, nounprioress, nounpriory, nounPromised Land, the, Protestant, nounpsalm, nounpsalmist, nounpsalter, nounpulpit, nounQuaker, nounRC, rector, nounrectory, nounredeem, verbredemption, nounrequiem, nounRev, Revd, Reverend, nounReverend Mother, nounrevival, nounrevival meeting, nounRoman Catholic, adjectiverood screen, nounrosary, nounsacrament, nounsacristan, nounsacristy, nounsaint, nounsainted, adjectivesainthood, nounsaint's day, nounsalvation, nounsanctuary, nounSatan, nounsave, verbschism, nounscriptural, adjectivesecular, adjectivesee, nounseminary, nounseraph, nounsermon, nounsexton, nounShrove Tuesday, nounsister, nounsisterhood, nounSJ, special licence, nounsteeple, nounstigmata, nounstoup, nounSunday school, nounsurplice, nounsynod, nountabernacle, nountestify, verbtransubstantiation, nounTrappist, noununfrock, verbUnitarian, nounvenial, adjectivevespers, nounvestment, nounvestry, nounvicar, nounvicarage, nounvotive, adjectivevow, nounVulgate, the, nounWhitsun, nounwimple, nounXmas, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY He knelt and confessed his sin.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
(=used when admitting something you feel slightly embarrassed about) I must confess I don’t visit my parents as often as I should.
I must confess I don’t visit my parents as often as I should. He knelt and confessed his sin.· He knelt and confessed his sins to God.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· He later confessed to his probation officer.· Will later confessed that he had indeed dozed off.· Rosemary later confessed to Leith that seeing Travis looking so haggard had really got to her.· Alvin later confessed laughingly that he had not been at all sure of what Morning Mourning was about.· The pair later confessed to involvement in three other murders.
NOUN· Mr Dawkins, the prison chaplain, did his best to persuade Linkworth to confess his crime.· A Novato man named Robert Page, 25, an unemployed musician, confessed to the crime.· That man was Boldwood, on his way to Casterbridge to confess to his crime.· Each thief has two choices, either to confess to the crime or not to confess to the crime.· Davis has confessed to the crime, but claims he never visited Petaluma before the night of the crime.· Each thief has two choices, either to confess to the crime or not to confess to the crime.· He allegedly confessed to the crime shortly after his arrest two months later, then led police to her body.
· It seemed clear that Butch, in the 29 Questions Letter, confessed to the murder.· Black called deputies July 10 to confess the April 9 murder.· Marek had told them Taczek had confessed to the murder.· An adolescent confesses to the murder, but Tennison does not believe him.· He died on the scaffold in Aylesbury market square on 28 March 1845, after confessing to the murder while in prison.· Marek had confessed to the murder of Mills.
· I don't if you have heard but there is now a new way of confessing your sins?· One friend suggested that he could return to the Church simply by confessing his sins.· Then, naked and holding three scourges in his hands, he confessed his sins.· Immediately following mass, she confessed her sins and was baptized by the bishop.· I am a sinner, Lord, and confess my sin.· I wanted to confess my sin.· He can be redeemed, he can confess his sins, he can expiate his guilt.· Why is this young man confessing to the sins of a man twice his age?
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1to admit, especially to the police, that you have done something wrong or illegalconfess to (doing) something- I have to say I don't know anything about computers.
- At this point I have to say he was, from an early age, exceedingly theatrical.
- He did not, I have to say, look at all pleased.
- He looked, I have to say, absolutely great.
- I am rather shaken, I have to confess.
- I shall say yes, she was thinking. I have to say yes.
- If you find that what I have to say about the specialisation is difficult, don't worry.
- Looking through Woodworker I have to say that many of the chairs are anything but comfortable!
- None of us slept very easily, I have to say.
- At this point I must say that I haven't yet found a carp that didn't eat Tropicanas.
- But I must say I was deeply disappointed.
- But I must say she's not always as fractious as she appears now.
- He went very red in the face. I must say he never did it again.
- Lovely site for it, I must say.
- Some one must have brought it here for a purpose, but I must admit it looks abandoned.
- They were very polite, I must confess....
- This procedure is, I must admit, a limited one, and it is vulnerable to criticism.
Edwards confessed to being a spy for the KGB. Occasionally people confess to crimes they haven’t committed just to get attention.confess (that) My husband confessed he’d been having an affair with a woman in his office. Torture was used and Fian confessed.► see thesaurus at admit2to admit something that you feel embarrassed aboutconfess (that) Marsha confessed that she didn’t really know how to work the computer.confess to (doing) something He confessed to having a secret admiration for his opponent.I (have to/must) confess (=used when admitting something you feel slightly embarrassed about) I must confess I don’t visit my parents as often as I should.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually say admit rather than confess:· I know it was him – he admitted it.· I admit I’m not very good with money.3to tell a priest or God about the wrong things you have done so that you can be forgiven: He knelt and confessed his sin.