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Definition of acknowledge verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

        

    acknowledge

     verb
    verb
    NAmE//əkˈnɑlɪdʒ//
     
    Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they acknowledge
     
    he / she / it acknowledges
     
    past simple acknowledged
     
    -ing form acknowledging
     
     
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    admit
  1. 1to accept that something is true acknowledge something She refuses to acknowledge the need for reform. Are you prepared to acknowledge your responsibility? acknowledge that… The government acknowledged that the tax was unfair. acknowledge something to be, have, etc. something It is generally acknowledged to be true. Thesaurusadmit
    • acknowledge
    • recognize
    • concede
    • confess
    These words all mean to agree, often unwillingly, that something is true.
    • admit to agree, often unwillingly, that something is true:It was a stupid thing to do, I admit.
    • acknowledge (somewhat formal) to accept that something exists, is true, or has happened:She refuses to acknowledge the need for reform.
    • recognize to admit or be aware that something exists or is true:They recognized the need to take the problem seriously.
    • concede (somewhat formal) to admit, often unwillingly, that something is true or logical:He was forced to concede that there might be difficulties.
    admit or concede?
    • When someone admits something, they are usually agreeing that something that is generally considered bad or wrong is true or has happened, especially when it relates to their own actions. When someone concedes something, they are usually accepting, unwillingly, that a particular fact or statement is true or logical.
    • confess (somewhat formal) to admit something that you feel ashamed or embarrassed about:She was reluctant to confess her ignorance.
    Patterns
    • to admit/acknowledge/recognize/concede/confess that ..
    • to admit/confess to something
    • to admit/concede/confess something to somebody
    • to admit/acknowledge/recognize the truth
    • to admit/confess your mistakes/ignorance
    2. accept status
  2. 2to accept that someone or something has a particular authority or status synonym recognize acknowledge somebody/something The country acknowledged his claim to the presidency. acknowledge somebody/something as something He is widely acknowledged as the best player in the world. acknowledge somebody/something to be, have, etc. something He is widely acknowledged to be the best player in the world.
    3. reply to letter
  3. 3acknowledge something to tell someone that you have received something that they sent to you All applications will be acknowledged. Please acknowledge receipt of this letter.
    4. smile/wave
  4. 4acknowledge somebody/something to show that you have noticed someone or something by smiling, waving, etc. I was standing right next to her, but she didn't even acknowledge me. He waved, acknowledging the applause.
    5. express thanks
  5. 5acknowledge something to publicly express thanks for help you have been given I gratefully acknowledge financial support from several local businesses. He is always ready to acknowledge his debt to his teachers.
 acknowledged adjective
 
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a generally acknowledged fact AWL Collocationsacknowledgeacknowledge verbto accept or admit the existence or truth of something
  • generally, universally, widely
  • openly, publicly
  • implicitly, tacitly
  • explicitly
  • readily
Researchers have universally acknowledged the need for more studies in this area. Frederick Douglass openly acknowledged his Indian heritage.
  • existence
  • importance
  • limitation
  • mistake
The study's limitations must be acknowledged. North acknowledges the importance of technological change.
  • that
The authors acknowledge that some of the results are speculative.
  • fail to
  • refuse to
  • be forced to
Kamps's analysis fails to acknowledge a key distinction.acknowledged adjective
  • generally, universally, widely
It is widely acknowledged that the Internet radically alters the commercial environment. Cézanne is the universally acknowledged father of Cubism.acknowledgment nounthe act of accepting that something exists or is true
  • implicit, tacit
  • grudging, candid, frank
From the beginning, the characters’ relationship is marked by a candid acknowledgment of Esther's strength.See acknowledge in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
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