acknowledge
Americanverb (used with object)
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acknowledges,
present (3rd person singular)
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acknowledged,
past participle, past
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acknowledging
present participle
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to admit to be real or true; recognize the existence, truth, or fact of.
to acknowledge one's mistakes.
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to show or express recognition or realization of.
to acknowledge an acquaintance by nodding.
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to recognize the authority, validity, or claims of.
The students acknowledged the authority of the student council.
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to show or express appreciation or gratitude for.
to acknowledge a favor.
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to indicate or make known the receipt of.
to acknowledge a letter.
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to take notice of or reply to.
to acknowledge a greeting.
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Law. to confirm as binding or of legal force.
to acknowledge a deed.
verb
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(may take a clause as object) to recognize or admit the existence, truth, or reality of
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to indicate recognition or awareness of, as by a greeting, glance, etc
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to express appreciation or thanks for
to acknowledge a gift
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to make the receipt of known to the sender
to acknowledge a letter
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to recognize, esp in legal form, the authority, rights, or claims of
Synonym Usage
Acknowledge, admit, confess agree in the idea of declaring something to be true. Acknowledge implies making a statement reluctantly, often about something previously denied: to acknowledge a fault. Admit especially implies acknowledging something under pressure: to admit a charge. Confess usually means stating somewhat formally an admission of wrongdoing, crime, or shortcoming: to confess guilt; to confess an inability to understand.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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acknowledgernoun
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preacknowledgeverb (used with object)
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reacknowledgeverb (used with object)
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acknowledgeableadjective
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unacknowledgingadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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acknowledgesimple
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acknowledgessimple
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have acknowledgedperfect
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has acknowledgedperfect
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am acknowledgingprogressive
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are acknowledgingprogressive
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is acknowledgingprogressive
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have been acknowledgingperfect progressive
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has been acknowledgingperfect progressive
Past
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acknowledgedsimple
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had acknowledgedperfect
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was acknowledgingprogressive
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were acknowledgingprogressive
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had been acknowledgingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of acknowledge
First recorded in 1475–85; late Middle English acknowleche, apparently either Middle English aknou(en) “to recognize” + -leche, noun suffix, variant of -lac; or a blend of aknouen and knouleche knowledge; then a- was mistaken for ac-
Explanation
To show that you know something is to acknowledge it. Waving "hello" to acknowledge a friend and nodding your head "yes" to acknowledge that you agree with what's being said are both acts showing knowledge or acceptance of someone or something. Dictionaries acknowledge that the word acknowledge has roots in the 15th and 16th centuries and is a combination of roots meaning "accord," "recognize," and "understand." Whereas "knowledge" is what you know, acknowledging is showing that you know. You might acknowledge that the world is round and that the moon is not made of cheese. You also can acknowledge, or give recognition, to the people who discovered these truths.
Vocabulary lists containing acknowledge
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
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Common Core Grades 7–8, List 1
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Nothing But the Truth
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Newsom appeared to acknowledge a desire to avoid the possibly messy fight for California backers that could ensue if both were to run, saying there would be “pure crossover” between Harris’ supporters and his.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026
If Mr. Talarico were honest, he’d acknowledge as much.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026
“We do acknowledge that it’s a tragic event. We don’t fully go into it. Since we weren’t really taught about it, we don’t have a lot of context on it,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
I’d prefer it if our current politicians could acknowledge that.
From Slate ● Sep. 11, 2026
But, just like yesterday, Gregor didn’t acknowledge me when I got to class.
From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence
"While Grindr disputes the allegations, it recognizes and acknowledges the distress and loss of trust expressed by some of its UK users regarding that pre-2020 period," the company said in its filing.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026
The LZ collaboration also acknowledges the assistance of the Sanford Underground Research Facility.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 4, 2026
The 17 million number is “heavily debated,” Privorostky acknowledges.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026
He also acknowledges that he is still learning what it means to be in this elected office.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026
They’re mostly white except for Esther Song, the only other Korean girl at our school, who never acknowledges my existence.
From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh
Even after his win in New York, Zverev acknowledged a gap.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
He also acknowledged that if the U.S. slows AI development alongside China, and the latter defects, it could lead to China’s geopolitical dominance.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026
Sweeney later acknowledged that by failing to comment on the furore, it had only "widened the divide".
From Barron's ● Sep. 14, 2026
Barrera acknowledged his primary win over the other Democratic challengers was largely thanks to the CTA, which he said “made all the difference.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026
When he reached Athens he was an acknowledged hero and he was invited to a banquet by the King, who of course was unaware that Theseus was his son.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
In an interview with the BBC last week, Chancellor John Healey called for a restoration of "confidence about Britain" despite acknowledging the challenge of "historic high" borrowing costs.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026
Italy's far-right prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, said that although their "backgrounds and perspectives differed, that never prevented me from acknowledging her significance and her role in our nation's public life".
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
Now it aims to help flag football secure a spot at Brisbane 2032, with NFL executive Peter O'Reilly acknowledging that is a key reason for playing in Australia.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026
For this filmmaking couple, reaching maturity as artists forged in the complex context of a modern colony hinges on acknowledging their limitations and still persevering.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
They hit them twice against their chests, the standard response to acknowledging the rules.
From "Warcross" by Marie Lu
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
