Confessing

/kənˈfɛsɪŋ/

verbIntermediate📊CommonAction
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To admit or acknowledge something, typically something that is embarrassing or wrong, or to reveal one's sins to a religious figure.

/kənˈfɛsɪŋ/

verbneutralIntermediate
Action

To admit or acknowledge something, especially something embarrassing or wrong.

After much hesitation, she was confessing her feelings to him.

💡 Simply: Imagine you broke your mom's favorite vase. Confessing is when you finally tell her you did it, even though you know you'll be in trouble. It's about admitting something you did or something you feel.

👶 For kids: To say you did something wrong or tell a secret.

More Examples

2

The suspect was confessing to the police.

3

He found it difficult to be confessing his faults.

How It's Used

Religious

"He was confessing his sins to the priest."

Legal

"The defendant was confessing to the crime."

Personal

"She was confessing her love for him."

2

To declare or profess one's faith or belief.

/kənˈfɛsɪŋ/

verbpositiveIntermediate
Action

To profess one's faith.

The parishioners were confessing their faith during the service.

💡 Simply: Confessing can also mean telling everyone what you believe in – your religion or your values. It's like saying, 'This is what I stand for!'

👶 For kids: To tell everyone about what you believe.

More Examples

2

He was confessing his belief in the afterlife.

How It's Used

Religious

"She was confessing her faith in God."

Tip:Think of confessing as professing.

Synonyms & Antonyms

From Middle English *confessen*, from Old French *confesser*, from Latin *confessus*, past participle of *confiteri* (“to confess”), from *con-* (“with, together”) + *fateri* (“to admit, confess”).

Historically, 'confessing' has been prominently used in religious and legal contexts, signifying the admission of wrongdoing or the profession of faith.

Memory tip

Think of the word 'fess,' short for confess. It's like saying you're 'fessing up' to something.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"To acknowledge, admit"

confessing to a crimeconfessing one's sinsconfessing a secretconfessing her feelings

Common misspellings

confessingg

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written