acknowledge

/ɛkˈnɑlɪdʒ/

/ækˈnɒlɛdʒ/

Other forms: acknowledged; acknowledging; acknowledges

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.

Definitions of acknowledge

1. verb

   declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
   “She acknowledged that she might have forgotten”

   synonyms: admit

   types:

   attorn

   acknowledge a new land owner as one's landlord

   write off

   concede the loss or worthlessness of something or somebody

   make no bones about

   acknowledge freely and openly

   sustain

   admit as valid

   concede, confess, profess

   admit (to a wrongdoing)

   confess

   confess to God in the presence of a priest, as in the Catholic faith

   confess, fink

   confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

   avouch, avow

   admit openly and bluntly; make no bones about

   fess up, make a clean breast of, own up

   admit or acknowledge a wrongdoing or error

   type of:

   adjudge, declare, hold

   declare to be
2. verb

   accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority
   “The Crown Prince was acknowledged as the true heir to the throne”

   synonyms: know, recognise, recognize

   type of:

   accept

   consider or hold as true
3. verb

   accept as legally binding and valid
   “acknowledge the deed”

   type of:

   accept

   consider or hold as true
4. verb

   express recognition of the presence or existence of, or acquaintance with
   “He never acknowledges his colleagues when they run into him in the hallway”

   “She acknowledged his compliment with a smile”

   “it is important to acknowledge the work of others in one's own writing”

   synonyms: notice

   types:

   cite, mention

   commend

   type of:

   react, respond

   show a response or a reaction to something
5. verb

   report the receipt of
   “The program committee acknowledged the submission of the authors of the paper”

   synonyms: receipt

   type of:

   communicate, pass, pass along, pass on, put across

   transmit information
6. verb

   express obligation, thanks, or gratitude for
   “We must acknowledge the kindness she showed towards us”

   synonyms: recognise, recognize

   types:

   appreciate

   recognize with gratitude; be grateful for

   type of:

   give thanks, thank

   express gratitude or show appreciation to