Acknowledging

/əkˈnɒlɪdʒɪŋ/

verbIntermediate📊CommonAction
1 meaning1 idiom/phrase2 questions

Definitions

1

To accept the truth or existence of something.

/əkˈnɒlɪdʒɪŋ/

verbneutralIntermediate
Action

To accept or admit the truth or existence of.

She acknowledged her error.

💡 Simply: Saying you know something is true or real.

More Examples

2

He acknowledged the receipt of the letter.

3

The government acknowledged the problem.

How It's Used

Formal Communication

"The company acknowledged its mistake in a public statement."

Everyday Conversation

"I acknowledged his presence with a nod."

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Idioms & expressions

Acknowledge receipt

To confirm that something has been received.

"Please acknowledge receipt of this email."

From Middle English *acknowlechen, from Old French *connoistre (to know), from Latin *cognoscere (to get to know). The prefix 'a-' indicates 'to' or 'in', signifying a process of becoming aware.

The word has maintained a consistent meaning throughout its history, primarily focusing on the acceptance of truth or facts.

Memory tip

Think of 'knowledge' - acknowledging means you're accepting the knowledge of something.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to know"

acknowledge receiptopenly acknowledgereadily acknowledgegratefully acknowledge

Common misspellings

acknoledgingacknoligingacknowleging

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written