acknowledge

acknowledge — verb

1. to admit, often unwillingly, that a fact or situation is real, or that a person

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to admit, often unwillingly, that a fact or situation is real, or that a person or thing genuinely holds a certain quality or position.

Example

Dr. Patel acknowledged that her first study had several weak points.

acknowledge + that-clause for admitting a fact

The minister finally acknowledged making mistakes during the budget talks.

acknowledge + -ing form

Common collocations
  • acknowledge a mistake
  • publicly acknowledge
  • widely acknowledged as
  • acknowledge the existence of
Synonyms
  • admit

    more everyday; usually about something you did wrong

  • concede

    formal; suggests giving in after argument

  • recognize

    neutral; often about status or quality rather than guilt

Antonyms
  • deny

    say something is not true

  • dispute

    argue against; reject the claim

Grammar Patterns

acknowledge + that-clause

acknowledge + -ing

acknowledge + obj + to be

Usage Note

Subject is often a person, group, or report giving a reluctant or formal admission. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about agreeing with a fact or status, not confirming arrival of a letter or parcel.

Common Mistakes

He acknowledged about his mistake.
He acknowledged his mistake.
no preposition before the direct object.
She acknowledged to make a mistake.
She acknowledged making a mistake.
use the -ing form, not a bare to-infinitive.

2. to write back or otherwise reply, usually in business, to confirm that a letter,

2.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to write back or otherwise reply, usually in business, to confirm that a letter, email, payment, or item has reached you.

Example

Please acknowledge this email so I know my application arrived safely.

acknowledge + email for confirming arrival

The bank acknowledged receipt of the wire transfer within an hour.

fixed phrase: acknowledge receipt of

Common collocations
  • acknowledge receipt of
  • acknowledge an email
  • acknowledge a letter
  • acknowledge a payment
Synonyms
  • confirm

    general word for saying something is true or has arrived

  • answer

    everyday; reply in any form, not always formal

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

acknowledge + noun (letter/email/payment)

acknowledge receipt of

Usage Note

Frequently used in business letters and emails; often paired with the noun 'receipt' or with documents (letter, email, invoice). Subject is usually the receiver, not the sender.

Common Mistakes

I acknowledged for your letter.
I acknowledged your letter.
no preposition; the letter is the direct object.
They acknowledged the receipt the parcel.
They acknowledged receipt of the parcel.
use 'receipt of' before the item.

3. to use a quick silent gesture, such as a nod, smile, or wave, to let a person kn

3.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to use a quick silent gesture, such as a nod, smile, or wave, to let a person know you can see them.

Example

Una walked past me without even acknowledging me.

acknowledge + person, basic pattern

The professor acknowledged the late students with a small nod.

acknowledge + person + with a nod

Common collocations
  • acknowledge with a nod
  • acknowledge with a smile
  • barely acknowledge
  • acknowledge the audience
Synonyms
  • greet

    broader; can include words, not only gestures

  • notice

    weaker; just to see, without showing a reaction

Antonyms
  • ignore

    deliberately not show that you have seen the person

  • snub

    rude refusal to greet someone you know

Grammar Patterns

acknowledge + person

acknowledge + person + with a nod/smile/wave

Usage Note

Object must be a person or group of people. The gesture itself is small and silent; if you say something, use 'greet' or 'say hello to' instead.

Common Mistakes

He acknowledged at his teacher.
He acknowledged his teacher.
no preposition before the person.
She acknowledged him by saying loud hello.
She greeted him with a loud hello.
use 'greet' for a spoken hello, not 'acknowledge'.

4. to say in public, often in a speech or book, that you are grateful to someone fo

4.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to say in public, often in a speech or book, that you are grateful to someone for help, support, or a useful contribution.

Example

The author acknowledged her editor in the first pages of the novel.

acknowledge + person in formal writing

In her speech, the mayor acknowledged the firefighters for saving several homes.

acknowledge + person + for + noun

Common collocations
  • acknowledge the support of
  • acknowledge the help of
  • publicly acknowledge
  • acknowledge a contribution
Synonyms
  • thank

    more direct and personal; everyday register

  • credit

    give recognition, often for an idea or work

Antonyms
  • overlook

    fail to mention someone's contribution

Grammar Patterns

acknowledge + help/support/contribution

acknowledge + person + for + noun

Usage Note

Object is normally help, support, contribution, or the person who provided them. Common in academic prefaces, awards speeches, and formal reports; rare in casual conversation.

Common Mistakes

I want to acknowledge to my parents in this speech.
I want to acknowledge my parents in this speech.
the person is a direct object, no 'to'.
She acknowledged thanks for his help.
She thanked him for his help.' or 'She acknowledged his help.
don't combine 'acknowledge' with 'thanks'.

Word family

  • acknowledgement
    nounC1
  • acknowledgment
    nounC1
  • acknowledged
    adjectiveC1
  • unacknowledged
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four verbs describe accepting that something is true, but they differ in tone and what is being accepted. 'Admit' is the most everyday and personal — you usually admit something you did wrong, often after pressure: 'She admitted she had lied to her parents.' 'Concede' is more formal and suggests giving in during an argument or competition: 'The candidate conceded that her opponent had run a stronger campaign.' 'Acknowledge' is broader and a little more neutral; it covers admitting facts, but also accepting someone's status or quality without any sense of guilt: 'Critics acknowledge the film as a modern classic.' 'Recognize' is closest to 'acknowledge' for status and quality, but rarely fits private confessions of wrongdoing: you 'admit a mistake', not 'recognize a mistake'.

acknowledge ↗admit ↗concede ↗recognize ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • acknowledge receipt of
  • widely acknowledged as
  • publicly acknowledge
  • fail to acknowledge

Prepositions

  • acknowledge as
  • acknowledge for
  • acknowledge with

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Acknowledge appeared in late Middle English, formed from the older verb 'knowledge' (meaning 'to recognize') with an added prefix 'ac-' modeled on Latin 'ad-' patterns. The base 'knowledge' itself comes from Old English roots related to 'cnawan' (to know). Over time the verb 'knowledge' fell out of use, leaving 'acknowledge' as the standard form. Senses linked to admitting facts and recognizing status are the oldest; the business meaning of confirming a letter or payment grew up with modern correspondence.