acknowledgeac‧knowl‧edge /əkˈnɒlɪdʒ $ -ˈnɑː-/ ●●○ S3 W3 AWL verb [transitive] 
The family acknowledge the need for change.acknowledge that He acknowledges that when he’s tired he gets bad-tempered. Claire acknowledged that she was guilty. The government must acknowledge what is happening and do something about it. ‘Maybe you are right,’ she acknowledged. This is a fact that most smokers readily acknowledge.► see thesaurus at admitGRAMMARIn more formal English, you say it is acknowledged that when saying what people generally agree is true: · It is acknowledged that these letters are genuine.2recognize something’s importance if people acknowledge something, they recognize how good or important it is: The Brazilian coach acknowledged the talent of his players.be acknowledged as something The film festival is acknowledged as an event of international importance.be widely/generally acknowledged to be something The mill produces what is widely acknowledged to be the finest wool in the world.3accept somebody’s authority to accept that someone or something has authority over people: Both defendants refused to acknowledge the authority of the court.acknowledge somebody as something Many of the poor acknowledged him as their spiritual leader.4thank to publicly announce that you are grateful for the help that someone has given you: We wish to acknowledge the support of the university.5show you notice somebody to show someone that you have noticed them or heard what they have said: Tom acknowledged her presence by a brief glance.6say you have received something to let someone know that you have received something from them: I would be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter.
WORD ORIGINacknowledge
Origin:
1400-1500 ac- (as in accord) + knowledgeVERB TABLE
acknowledge
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | acknowledge |
| he, she, it | acknowledges | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | acknowledged |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have acknowledged |
| he, she, it | has acknowledged | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had acknowledged |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will acknowledge |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have acknowledged |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am acknowledging |
| he, she, it | is acknowledging | |
| you, we, they | are acknowledging | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was acknowledging |
| you, we, they | were acknowledging | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been acknowledging |
| he, she, it | has been acknowledging | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been acknowledging |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be acknowledging |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been acknowledging |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Callahan waved, acknowledging his fans.
- Cooke acknowledges receiving gifts that could be seen as bribes.
- He acknowledges it's going to be a tough job, but he's going to try it anyway.
- I did a lot of work on that book. It annoys me that the editor never acknowledged it.
- I have just sent off a letter acknowledging their message.
- In 1932 De Valera was elected as Prime Minister, and was acknowledged as leader of the Irish people.
- In his speech he acknowledged the help his parents gave him at the start of his career.
- Please acknowledge receipt of this document by signing and returning the enclosed form.
- Several Arab countries have not yet acknowledged Israel.
- The author wishes to acknowledge the assistance of the Defense Department.
- The committee acknowledges that mentally ill people in the community are not receiving the care and treatment they need.
- The paper never even acknowledged my letter or printed a correction.
- You have to acknowledge the truth of what she says.
- Zaire was forced to acknowledge the authority of the Congolese state.
- And, a base spokesman acknowledged the cooler ban did not prohibit knapsacks, soft-sided fabric coolers or wagons.
- However, some acknowledge that the reforms had to be introduced quickly.
- I readily acknowledge that this is a very difficult request but I am afraid the timescale has to he met.
- In a correction that was published June 4, 1995, the Globe acknowledged that Ayash did not sign the medication order.
- Policy props up parental wishes and desires, but does it acknowledge the effect on the deaf child?
- The anniversary report is acknowledged as a tremendous achievement.
- The governor has acknowledged that there have been errors in his financial statements.
- We will never reform the justice system until we are prepared to acknowledge its fundamental defects.
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.
to tell someone that you are pleased and grateful for something they have given you or done for you: · She thanked them for the presents.· You don’t need to thank me.· He thanked her for coming and showed her to her car.
to thank someone by saying the words ‘thank you’, or by giving them something: · I just wanted to say thank you for all your help.· This gift is our way of saying thank you to everyone who worked so hard.· Make sure you say thank you for your birthday presents.
formal to thank someone for something they have done – used in speeches and letters: · I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have sent me letters of support.
formal to thank someone by giving them something, or by doing something special for them: · To show our gratitude for all your hard work, we are paying you a special bonus.
to publicly do or say something to thank someone for their help or support: · The building will be named the John Laird Centre, to acknowledge the contribution of the Laird family to the area.· He acknowledged the applause with a small bow.
Longman Language Activatorto accept that something has legal or official authority · The president refused to accept the authority of the state court when it tried to keep black students out of the University of Alabama.· The idea of a common defence force has been accepted by some EU governments.
also recognise British: recognize a court/government/qualification to officially accept that it has legal or official authority: · Papua New Guinea was the first country to recognize the new military regime in Fiji.· British medical qualifications are recognized in many countries throughout the world.
to officially accept that a government, court, organization, or person has legal or official authority: · Zaire was forced to acknowledge the authority of the Congolese state.be acknowledged as: · In 1932 De Valera was elected as Prime Minister, and was acknowledged as leader of the Irish people.
to admit that something is true also concede formal to accept that something is true, especially when you do not want to: · "Well, I suppose there is some truth in what you say," she admitted.admit (that): · In the end he had to admit that I was right.· You may not like her, but you have to admit that she's good at her job.· Jackson conceded that higher taxes on big cars would have a harmful effect on the UK's motor industry.· Janis was forced to concede that much of her argument was based on prejudice.admit it spoken: · You were wrong, weren't you? Come on, admit it!
formal to admit that something is true or that a situation exists, even though you may not like it, it is not completely satisfactory, may be a problem etc: · You have to acknowledge the truth of what she says.acknowledge (that): · He acknowledges it's going to be a tough job, but he's going to try it anyway.· The committee acknowledges that mentally ill people in the community are not receiving the care and treatment they need.
to answer a letter, invitation, e-mail etc to write a letter to someone who has written to you, or to someone who has put an advertisement in a newspaper: · I wrote to Franca three weeks ago but she hasn't replied yet.reply to: · Becky hasn't replied to our invitation, so I assume she isn't coming.
if you answer a letter or advertisement, you write a letter to the person who has written it: · I got the job by answering an advertisement in the paper.· Miss Millar hired a secretary to answer her mail while she was on vacation.· Think carefully before answering that memo.
to write a letter to someone who has written a letter to you: · Sara wrote asking if she could help, so I wrote back and said yes.write back to: · Josh, have you written back to Grandma yet?write somebody back American: · She didn't really expect him to write her back.
formal to write a letter telling someone that you have received a letter, parcel etc that they have sent you: · I have just sent off a letter acknowledging their message.acknowledge receipt of something (=officially acknowledge that you have received something): · Please acknowledge receipt of this document by signing and returning the enclosed form.
written please answer this invitation - used at the end of formal invitations when asking someone to say if they can definitely come to a wedding, formal dinner etc: · Dr Fischer requests your company at a dinner to celebrate his retirement at the Dorchester Hotel on November 30th at 10 pm. RSVP.
if you say or do something in response to what someone has written, you say or do it as a way of answering their question, request, advertisement etc: · She said she'd come to the office in response to an ad she'd seen in the paper.· In answer to recent criticism the President has issued a statement explaining his policies.
to say thank you to someone to tell someone that you are pleased and grateful for something they have given you or done for you: · I spent three hours helping her and she didn't even thank me.thank somebody for (doing) something: · We must write and thank Cathy for the present.· The Governor publicly thanked the people of Arizona for supporting him during his campaign.thank somebody profusely (=thank someone a lot in a very obvious way): · A relieved Mr Maxwell thanked his lawyer profusely.
to thank someone for what they have done: · I wanted to come round and say thank you in person.say thank you to: · This little gift is our way of saying thank you to everyone who worked so hard.say thank you for: · Make sure you say thank you for your birthday presents.
formal to show someone that you are grateful for something they have done, by giving them something or by doing something special for them: · He found a special way of showing his appreciation -- dinner at the Ritz.show your appreciation for: · We have decided to pay a special bonus to everyone on the staff to show our appreciation for their hard work during the year.
formal to say how grateful you are to someone for something they have done - use this in a speech or in a letter: express your thanks/gratitude for: · I should like to express my thanks for all that you have done.express your thanks/gratitude to: · He made a short speech expressing his gratitude to all those who had sent him letters of support.
to tell people publicly that someone has done something to help you and that you are grateful for it: · In his speech he acknowledged the help his parents gave him at the start of his career.· I did a lot of work on that book. It annoys me that the editor never acknowledged it.
also recognise British if a country or a large organization recognizes something important that someone has done for them, they officially and publicly thank them, by giving them something or doing something special for them: · The government recognized his bravery in the battle by awarding him the Military Cross.· Her contribution to horticulture was recognized when a new rose was named after her.
if you are given something in recognition of something you have done, it is publicly given to you as a way of thanking you: · He was awarded a knighthood in recognition of his work for charity.
to have a particular opinion: think (that) · We didn't think that the concert was very good.· She thinks I'm crazy to leave my job.· I thought we had a good meeting yesterday.what do you think of somebody/something (=what is your opinion about them?) · What did you think of the new car? Did you drive it?
to have an opinion that you are sure is right, especially about something important such as life, religion, or politics: believe (that): · The party believes strongly that health care should be provided for everyone.· We believe human rights are more important than economic considerations.
to have a strong opinion, but one which is based on your feelings rather than on facts: feel (that): · Liz's parents feel she isn't old enough to leave home.· I feel that we're just beginning to make progress, and that it would be wrong to stop now.
especially American, informal to develop a particular opinion about a situation after considering it carefully: · What do you figure his chances of winning are?figure (that): · The operation went fine, and they figure he'll be home next week.· I'm telling you because I figure you're the only one who can keep a secret.
especially British, informal to have a particular opinion about something or someone: · What do you reckon - would this make a good present for Donald's birthday?reckon (that): · They reckon the French team's better than ours.be reckoned to be something: · This hotel is reckoned to be one of the best in the country.
formal to have an opinion about someone or something after thinking carefully about them: consider somebody/something something: · We do not consider this film suitable for young children.· I would consider it an honour to serve on the Executive Committee.consider somebody/something to be something: · She is considered to be one of the finest pianists of her generation.
to think that someone or something is a particular kind of person or thing: regard somebody/something as something: · She regards herself more as an entertainer than a singer.· America was seen as the land of opportunity.· Several members of the government have said they regard the Minister's statement as ridiculous.
to think that someone or something is a particular kind of person or thing, especially when your opinion is wrong, unusual, or unfair: · Most people think of Leonardo da Vinci as a great artist, but he was also a great scientist.· Learning a language should be thought of as a natural process.· Even doctors may look on these patients as drug addicts and treat them as social outcasts.
to decide to have a particular opinion about a situation or about life in general, especially when other people have different opinions - use this in formal or written contexts: · Nineteenth century scientists took the view that the Universe was meaningless.· Aristotle was of the opinion that there would always be rich and poor within society.· The committee is of the opinion that the contract is not legally binding.
to be thought of as being important or very good by a large number of people: · Von Braun was then acknowledged as the world's foremost expert on rocket engineering.· Lawrence's novel was rejected at first, but it later came to be recognized as a work of genius.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY This is a fact that most smokers readily acknowledge. The mill produces what is widely acknowledged to be the finest wool in the world. I would be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
This is a fact that most smokers readily acknowledge. The mill produces what is widely acknowledged to be the finest wool in the world. I would be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter. (=say that you are grateful for what someone has done)· He acknowledged the contribution of many individuals in developing the report.
(=agree that something exists)· They organization finally acknowledged the existence of a problem.
(=speak to someone or make a sign to show that you know they are present)· He acknowledged my presence with a quick wave.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· What Amis has also acknowledged as a writer is that nice things aren't necessarily as funny as nasty things.· But Adams also acknowledged that he ordered agents to escort McVeigh out of the courthouse in a bright orange jumpsuit.· Gramsci also acknowledged the dynamism of bourgeois individualism, but advocated a redirection of that energy to mass culture.· But we must also acknowledge the significance of computing and digital design.· None the less, we must also acknowledge that most often reconciliation does not occur.· Upright bassist Kevin Pate also acknowledges his paternal influences.
· Tom freely acknowledged this just as Terry acknowledged his earlier insensitivity.· He freely acknowledges that he allowed the behaviour of others to put him off the career he really wanted.· It was as though, having given up the struggle themselves, they could more freely acknowledge the value of it.
· A closer examination of the Celtic Church reveals a much greater deviation from Rome than is generally acknowledged or even known.· The generally acknowledged leader of the cartel is Benjamin Arellano, who usually keeps a low profile.· Another set of therapies which are generally acknowledged to be helpful are the physical ones which are mostly based around massage.· Nicky Haslam is generally acknowledged as a superb story-teller, who judges his audience beautifully.· It is now generally acknowledged that Helicobacter pylori infection is the major cause of antral gastritis.
· But it is publicly acknowledged that these numbers, which represent people who have put themselves forward for testing, are underestimates.· The enthusiasm and support of the lesbian fans is vital, but their contribution can not be publicly acknowledged.· The Health Ministry does not publicly acknowledge the link.· You encourage less-able pupils and publicly acknowledge the value of their contribution.· And Sandeman was the first port company to acknowledge publicly that sales were a crucial aspect to any business.· Would he publicly acknowledge the little boy as his, or might he prefer to ignore his existence?
· I readily acknowledge the need for time to debate the Bill in Committee.· Against one sees the influence of Park which Hughes readily acknowledges.· They also readily acknowledge that the symbols are not as important as the impressions, imaginings and emotions they provoke.· Numerous interviews with cold callers, all reluctant to be named, readily acknowledge that they rarely call women.· By doing so, I readily acknowledge that we are changing, ever so slightly, the role of the Crown with regard to sentencing.· I readily acknowledge that this is a very difficult request but I am afraid the timescale has to he met.· Our exchanges have been by telephone or Royal Mail, so I readily acknowledge that there may be some problems there.
· Nor has the potential and positive contribution of musicians been widely acknowledged in the process of reform.· In short, the lack of business transaction security is widely acknowledged as a major impediment to widespread ecommerce.· There, 50 or so textile mills produce what is widely acknowledged to be the finest wool cloth in the world.· Its theatre, since the mid 1950s, has been widely acknowledged the world's wonder.· Of all workers' complaints, the justice of those over truck seem to have been most widely acknowledged.· Making technical estimates of risk is widely acknowledged to be extremely tricky, with endless scope for disagreement amongst the experts.· Generally, they have been welcomed: their potential for enriching the curriculum is widely acknowledged.· Social class is a major behavioural determinant of consumer buying behaviour, and its importance is widely acknowledged by marketers.
NOUN· While acknowledging their debt to Hearsay-II, they point out a number of differences.· Years later, she acknowledged the debt she owed him for those early lessons in self-determination.· Certainly, Bentham acknowledged his debt to Beccaria.· Shelley has always acknowledged his debt to the late doctor.· I want to acknowledge a personal debt to him.· Brooks attended to every detail of his churches and Mackmurdo later acknowledged his debt to him as an exemplar of methodical thoroughness.
· Yet when we are involved personally we are forced to acknowledge their existence and to try to understand them.· Last September, seeking to strengthen his growing congregation and acknowledge its existence in the community at large, Rev.· Weber acknowledged their existence but did not discuss them.· Men who had recently found it difficult to acknowledge his existence now sought his advice.· When he did acknowledge her existence he talked in dismissive and unrealistic terms.· It was the only time that Father acknowledged the existence of spirits.· He made it clear he could never acknowledge my existence to his family and I didn't expect him to.· Dear Harsnet, he wrote, why do you persist in this rigmarole of refusing even to acknowledge my existence?
· The difference is that Chomsky acknowledges this fact and accordingly expresses his views with appropriate caution.· However, Pratt acknowledged many of the facts in the study.· The hon. Gentleman would address the problem more accurately were he to acknowledge that fact.· They were the only neighbors who had ever acknowledged the fact of her moving here.· But while sterling remains weak exporters should prosper - although the market would not acknowledge such a fact yesterday.· Six days late - this was the first time that she'd acknowledged the fact.· Too few mass literacy campaigns have even acknowledged this fact.
· Plaid Cymru, which did a similar deal, voted with the Government, acknowledging that its deal did go further.· This government is acknowledged by all to be one of enumerated powers.· Doctors' leaders joined calls for the Government to acknowledge that the outbreak had exposed a critical shortage of hospital beds.· But for this to be achieved, the government must acknowledge it as a problem worth solving.· The Government acknowledged holding just three prisoners, including Mirghani Abd al-Rahman Suleiman.
· Strategies to promote the nation's health should acknowledge the importance of material and social deprivation more explicitly.· Thus it is not at all surprising to find managers acknowledging the importance of local knowledge.· It is not enough to acknowledge the importance of collective entrepreneurship; clear and consistent signals must reinforce the new story.· It is ambitious and beautiful; what is more, it acknowledges the importance of being sophisticated for adult business people.· Many Islamists now acknowledge the importance of what Islamism began by rejecting utterly: democracy.· Mr. Gregory Will my right hon. Friend acknowledge the importance of the popular music industry and its contribution to overseas earnings?· However, Rauschenberg's act is important in establishing the necessity of acknowledging the importance of usurping the claims of abstract expressionism.· Announcing the proposals Education Minister Michael Ancram acknowledged the importance of the voluntary sector as a source of independent advice.
· This acknowledged the need for a better trained workforce and for a previous lack of expenditure in the welfare sphere.· During the campaign, Clinton acknowledged the need to fix the programs and said it should be done in a bipartisan way.· I readily acknowledge the need for time to debate the Bill in Committee.· The result is a service that acknowledges their special needs as guests and, more importantly, as individuals.· All but the far right have acknowledged the need to develop a more skilled workforce, since whites can no longer fill the demand.· The result was a modification of the Rome Treaty which acknowledges the need to achieve social and economic cohesion.· MDC's approach to housing development in its extended area acknowledges the need for social housing provision.· The Department acknowledges the basic need to provide workplaces with easy access, good lighting and an inviting atmosphere.
· According to Western reports, officials in Xinjiang had acknowledged the impact of rising nationalist sentiment across the border in the Soviet Union.· Current board officials acknowledge that past actions may have been inadequate but said they have learned from their predecessors' mistakes.· Union officials privately acknowledge that Phoenix's achilles heel has always been the difficulties it would face raising the necessary finance.· Supreme Court officials acknowledge that their own telephone system was the culprit for the leak.· Pentagon officials acknowledge using two Stealth fighter bombers to drop 2,000 pound bombs.· However, other high-level Navy officials acknowledged the Nimitz had been hurriedly ordered to the Persian Gulf.
· She noted though that after this Felipe de Santis was prepared to acknowledge Mitch's presence although he was stiffly formal.· Usually a clerk at some point acknowledges my presence, comes up and asks me what I want.· Nervous because she was due to play in two chukkas' time, Perdita refused even to acknowledge Daisy's presence.· He wanted to acknowledge its presence and open himself to it.· Jurnet acknowledged the newcomer's presence with a small nod, nothing too encouraging.· Tom caught my eye behind her back and winked to acknowledge my presence on alien territory.· Was he even going to acknowledge her presence?· All too often we preferred to deny their existence than acknowledge the presence of mental illness.
· A year on they acknowledge the problems, but are at pains to defend the good name of their community.· And to his credit, he acknowledged the problem of low wages and our deteriorating public transit system.· Graff acknowledges the problem and proposes an openly dialectical and adversarial form of teaching.· Ratification encourages willingness to acknowledge a problem and develops commitment to its solution.· But for this to be achieved, the government must acknowledge it as a problem worth solving.· Rudi thought that Simeon was dyslexic, but Simeon himself refused to acknowledge any problems.· But they're quick to acknowledge the problems too ... Male speaker Unemployment is the main problem.· By not acknowledging the problem, the church continues to suffer from a festering internal wound.
VERB· The two other boys were sitting neatly on a sofa in the distance but they failed to acknowledge them.· These consumer behavior models fail to acknowledge that there are many types of consumers.· Such explanations fail to acknowledge the possibility that schools may a responsible for creating and sustaining disruptiveness.· Mostly, they have failed to acknowledge one basic tenet of the high-tech world: We know too much.· Yet company law doctrine has failed to acknowledge this.· They were all the same, those men, turning away their heavy faces and failing to acknowledge my greetings.· Modern progressives committed to diversity often fail to acknowledge this.· Wiltshire Community Foundation says policies fail to acknowledge the greater cost of providing rural services.
· He knew the potential that I possessed but had refused to acknowledge.· In some ways, like us, they were custodians of a loss everyone knew about but refused to acknowledge.· The government believes that people will love it for abolishing counties like Humberside, which proud Yorkshiremen have always refused to acknowledge.· I hated the world around me and refused to acknowledge it.· Either he had genuinely repressed what he knew or he refused to acknowledge it.· She added that when Gentry refused to acknowledge the loan publicly, she resigned as his treasurer and broke off their engagement.· Others, though, refused even to acknowledge that much.· About 9 million refuse to acknowledge their hearing loss or refuse treatment.
WORD FAMILYnounacknowledgementverbacknowledge
1admit to admit or accept that something is true or that a situation exists: The family acknowledge the need for change.acknowledge that He acknowledges that when he’s tired he gets bad-tempered. Claire acknowledged that she was guilty. The government must acknowledge what is happening and do something about it. ‘Maybe you are right,’ she acknowledged. This is a fact that most smokers readily acknowledge.► see thesaurus at admitGRAMMARIn more formal English, you say it is acknowledged that when saying what people generally agree is true: · It is acknowledged that these letters are genuine.2recognize something’s importance if people acknowledge something, they recognize how good or important it is: The Brazilian coach acknowledged the talent of his players.be acknowledged as something The film festival is acknowledged as an event of international importance.be widely/generally acknowledged to be something The mill produces what is widely acknowledged to be the finest wool in the world.3accept somebody’s authority to accept that someone or something has authority over people: Both defendants refused to acknowledge the authority of the court.acknowledge somebody as something Many of the poor acknowledged him as their spiritual leader.4thank to publicly announce that you are grateful for the help that someone has given you: We wish to acknowledge the support of the university.5show you notice somebody to show someone that you have noticed them or heard what they have said: Tom acknowledged her presence by a brief glance.6say you have received something to let someone know that you have received something from them: I would be grateful if you would acknowledge receipt of this letter.