English Dictionary

Definition of “acknowledge”

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acknowledge (əkˈnɒlɪdʒPronunciation for acknowledge) 

Definitions

verb (tr)

  1. (may take a clause as object) to recognize or admit the existence, truth, or reality of
  2. to indicate recognition or awareness of, as by a greeting, glance, etc
  3. to express appreciation or thanks for  ⇒ to acknowledge a gift 
  4. to make the receipt of known to the sender  ⇒ to acknowledge a letter 
  5. to recognize, esp in legal form, the authority, rights, or claims of

Alternative Forms

acˈknowledgeable adjective acˈknowledger noun

Word Origin

C15: probably from earlier knowledge,  on the model of Old English oncnāwan,  Middle English aknowen to confess, recognize

Usage examples

  • It was another figure, whom he recognized with what he was ashamed to acknowledge was a pang of delighted hope.
    Anthony Masters, CASCADES - THE DAY OF THE DEAD (2001)
  • A crisp drive through the covers brought up Paul's fifty and he raised his bat to acknowledge the applause from the spectators.
    Country Life (2005)
  • We regret we are unable to acknowledge unpublished letters.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • However, back in Britain, walled against distressed aliens and limited by narrow vision, I had to acknowledge a similar tension.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Meanwhile, Helena Springs, now divorced, returned to Los Angeles, and demanded that De Niro acknowledge paternity of Nina.
    John Baxter, DE NIRO: A Biography (2002)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'A'

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