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acknowledge

Verb

IPA /əkˈnɒlɪdʒ/

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Meaning in plain English

To accept or admit that something is true or that a situation exists, especially when it is difficult to face.

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Pronunciation

acknowledge/əkˈnɒlɪdʒ/

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The total is wrong
I made a mistake

You acknowledge the mistake when you admit that it happened.

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Examples in context

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I had to acknowledge that I had misunderstood my friend's message.
The report should acknowledge the limits of the available evidence.

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I had to ________ that I had misunderstood my friend's message.

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acknowledge — To accept or admit that something is true or that a situation exists, especially when it is difficult to face.

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To accept or admit that something is true or that a situation exists, especially when it is difficult to face.

Compare: I had to acknowledge that I had misunderstood my friend's message.

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Word origin

Developed from the old verb knowledge, meaning to recognise, with influence from acknow, meaning to acknowledge or confess.

Did you know?

The past form is acknowledged; the -ing form is acknowledging, without the final e.

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