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>.