admit
verb (transitive)
UKədˈmɪtUSədˈmɪt
to agree that something is true or correct, often reluctantly; to allow someone to enter or to let someone join an institution or organization
Example Sentences
He finally decided to admit that he made a mistake during the negotiations.
She will only admit the truth when presented with undeniable evidence.
Hospitals often have strict policies about whom they can admit into their care units.
The security guard refused to admit anyone without proper identification.
You have to admit that her performance was impressive, even if you prefer a different style.
He did not want to admit feeling nervous before giving his speech, although his trembling hands revealed the truth.
Despite her reluctance, the teacher had to admit that the new methods were helping students learn more efficiently, proving that innovation can improve even the most traditional educational approaches.
In many universities, the admissions committee will only admit applicants who not only have outstanding academic records but also demonstrate strong leadership, creativity, and a passion for personal growth.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
To acknowledge or confess something, or to allow someone or something entry or access.As a verb, “admit” covers a few closely related meanings. It can mean acknowledging a fact or truth, often one that’s uncomfortable or previously denied—like admitting a mistake or fault. In this sense, someone might say, “I admit I was wrong,” signifying a confession or concession.Additionally, “admit” can refer to granting entry or permission. For example, a venue might admit only ticketed guests, or a hospital might admit a patient for treatment. In both uses, the term highlights an openness or acceptance: acceptance of a truth or acceptance of a person into a space. Depending on context, “admit” can carry a sense of reluctance (when confessing) or regulation (when allowing entry). People often pair it with objects like mistakes, secrets, or guilt, or with a place—like an admissions office, hospital, or club.Whether you’re ‘admitting you forgot someone’s birthday’ or ‘admitting visitors to an event,’ the underlying notion is giving way to something that was previously withheld, blocked, or unacknowledged. In everyday conversation, “admit” often shows up when people own up to errors, share personal truths, or refer to letting someone in. In formal contexts—think legal or institutional—it can sound more official, tied to policies or documentation of acceptance or confession. The common thread is that “admit” typically marks a transition from exclusion to inclusion, or from denial to recognition.
Alternatives
If you’re looking for alternatives to “admit,” consider:1. **Acknowledge** – Conveys recognition of truth or presence, often neutral or factual.2. **Confess** – Carries a more personal or serious tone, especially involving wrongdoing or secrets.3. **Concede** – Emphasizes yielding a point in an argument or debate, sometimes reluctantly.4. **Grant access** or **allow entry** – Common for physical or institutional settings, focusing on permissions.5. **Own up to** – Informal, underscores responsibility or blame.6. **Accept** – Broader sense of agreeing with or taking in, though less focused on wrongdoing or gates.Which term you choose hinges on context. “Acknowledge” and “accept” focus more on the factual or neutral side of recognizing something, while “confess” and “own up to” intensify personal responsibility. “Grant access” or “allow entry” highlight the act of letting someone or something in, useful in official or facility-based scenarios. “Concede” suits debates or competitive discussions, pinpointing a reluctant admission of another’s valid point. Each alternative adjusts the nuance of how candid, formal, or remorseful the admission or permission seems.
Writing
In writing, “admit” can subtly reveal character motives or emotional stakes. For example, in a narrative, having a character admit a hidden fear or regret adds complexity and depth—showing vulnerability or a step toward transformation. In dialogue, “I admit it, I messed up” might mark a turning point, prompting forgiveness, confrontation, or new understanding between characters.In more formal or academic contexts, you might use “admit” when referencing institutional processes—like “The university will admit 2,000 students this fall,” or “The policy changes admit entrepreneurs to apply for grants year-round.” If someone confesses under legal scrutiny—“The defendant admitted to concealing evidence”—the verb becomes part of court records or media reports, underscoring significance and finality. No matter the setting, pairing “admit” with context—why, how, or under what conditions—keeps your text clear and purposeful.
Casual Conversation
Day to day, “admit” often signals a minor confession or acceptance of a slip-up: “I admit I forgot your birthday,” or “I have to admit, I’m not great at cooking.” Here, you’re casually owning up to something not widely known or acknowledging a fault.If you’re speaking about granting physical entry, you might say, “They only admit close friends into that VIP lounge,” which describes a space’s exclusivity. Using “admit” this way can sound slightly more formal, so in very informal scenarios, you might simply say “let in” or “allow in.” Nonetheless, “admit” remains perfectly understandable if you want to emphasize that it’s a regulated or selective process. Overall, employing “admit” in casual conversation clarifies acceptance or acknowledgement, often with a dash of humility or formality depending on the vibe.
Etymology
The verb “admit” originates from the Latin “admittere,” combining “ad-” (“to” or “toward”) with “mittere” (“to send” or “to let go”). In ancient Rome, “admittere” already carried dual implications: to allow entry and to concede or grant. As Old French adopted the term, it emerged in English by the late Middle Ages, retaining these core functions of letting something in or acknowledging a truth.Over centuries, the word spread through various contexts—legal admissions, confessions of guilt, institutional acceptance, and everyday apologizing or conceding. Modern usage still reflects these layers: “admit” can mean letting a person in, publicly or privately owning an action, or validating a fact in an argument. It echoes the Latin sense of sending or allowing something to move forward, whether that’s a person across a threshold or a fact into open recognition.
