acknowledge
verb OPAL W
/əkˈnɒlɪdʒ/
/əkˈnɑːlɪdʒ/
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they acknowledge | /əkˈnɒlɪdʒ/ /əkˈnɑːlɪdʒ/ |
| he / she / it acknowledges | /əkˈnɒlɪdʒɪz/ /əkˈnɑːlɪdʒɪz/ |
| past simple acknowledged | /əkˈnɒlɪdʒd/ /əkˈnɑːlɪdʒd/ |
| past participle acknowledged | /əkˈnɒlɪdʒd/ /əkˈnɑːlɪdʒd/ |
| -ing form acknowledging | /əkˈnɒlɪdʒɪŋ/ /əkˈnɑːlɪdʒɪŋ/ |
- to accept that something is true
- acknowledge something She refuses to acknowledge the need for reform.
- I have to acknowledge the fact that I am partly responsible.
- It's a generally acknowledged fact.
- Most people acknowledge the existence of evil.
- to openly/publicly/readily acknowledge something
- acknowledge that… He does not acknowledge that he has done anything wrong.
- acknowledge something to be, have, etc. something It is generally acknowledged to be true.
Synonyms admitadmit- acknowledge
- recognize
- concede
- confess
- admit to agree, often unwillingly, that something is true:
- It was a stupid thing to do, I admit.
- acknowledge (rather formal) to accept that something exists, is true or has happened:
- She refuses to acknowledge the need for reform.
- recognize to admit or be aware that something exists or is true:
- They recognized the need to take the problem seriously.
- concede (rather formal) to admit, often unwillingly, that something is true or logical:
- He was forced to concede (that) there might be difficulties.
- confess (rather formal) to admit something that you feel ashamed or embarrassed about; to admit, especially formally or to the police, that you have done something wrong or illegal:
- She was reluctant to confess her ignorance.
- He confessed to the murder.
- to admit/acknowledge/recognize/concede/confess that…
- to admit/confess to something
- to admit/concede/confess something to somebody
- to admit/acknowledge/recognize the truth
- to admit/confess your mistakes/ignorance
Extra Examples- Mental illness can exist for years before families are forced to acknowledge the truth.
- a truth that is universally acknowledged
- Are you prepared to acknowledge your responsibility?
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- fully
- freely
- readily
- …
- fail to
- refuse to
- be forced to
- …
- be generally acknowledged
- be universally acknowledged
- be widely acknowledged
- …
- to accept that somebody/something has a particular authority or status synonym recognize
- acknowledge somebody/something The country acknowledged his claim to the throne.
- The peace settlement effectively acknowledged the country's independence.
- be acknowledged as something He is widely acknowledged as the best player in the world.
- be acknowledged to be, have, etc. something He is widely acknowledged to be the best player in the world.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- fully
- freely
- readily
- …
- fail to
- refuse to
- be forced to
- …
- be generally acknowledged
- be universally acknowledged
- be widely acknowledged
- …
- acknowledge something (formal) to tell somebody that you have received something that they sent to you
- All applications will be acknowledged.
- Please acknowledge receipt of this letter.
Extra Examples- I hereby acknowledge receipt of your letter of 25 July.
- The company duly acknowledged receipt of the letter.
- acknowledge somebody/something (formal) to show that you have noticed somebody/something by smiling, waving, etc.
- I was standing right next to her, but she didn't even acknowledge me.
- He waved, acknowledging the applause.
Extra Examples- They barely acknowledged each other.
- He did not even acknowledge the question.
- acknowledge something (formal) to publicly express thanks for help you have been given
- I gratefully acknowledge financial support from several local businesses.
- He is always ready to acknowledge his debt to his teachers.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- fully
- freely
- readily
- …
- fail to
- refuse to
- be forced to
- …
- be generally acknowledged
- be universally acknowledged
- be widely acknowledged
- …
admit
accept status
reply to letter/email
smile/wave
express thanks
Word Originlate 15th cent.: from the obsolete Middle English verb knowledge, influenced by obsolete acknow ‘acknowledge, confess’.