# acknowledged

/ækˈnɑɫɪdʒd/ (US) · /ɐknˈɒlɪdʒd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/acknowledged
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to admit truth

verb · CEFR B2

to admit or accept that something is true or exists.

For teachers: to admit the existence or truth of something, often reluctantly. Transitive; frequently takes a 'that' clause or a direct object.

- The government finally acknowledged that the new law was a mistake.
- The CEO acknowledged the validity of the shareholders' concerns during the annual meeting, promising a full review of the company's environmental policies.

### 2. to confirm receipt

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to tell someone that you have received their letter, email, or gift.

For teachers: to report or signal the receipt of a communication or item. Transitive; common in professional and administrative correspondence.

- Please acknowledge this email so I know you received the files.
- The department failed to acknowledge the receipt of my application, leaving me uncertain whether the documents had arrived before the deadline.

### 3. to greet

verb · CEFR B2

to show that you have seen someone by waving or smiling.

For teachers: to show recognition of a person by a gesture or greeting.

- She acknowledged him with a quick nod as she walked past his desk.
- Although they were rivals, the two professors acknowledged each other with a polite, if frosty, greeting in the hallway.

### 4. widely recognised

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

known by most people as being good, important, or true.

For teachers: generally accepted or recognised as having a particular status or quality. Often used before a noun.

- He is the acknowledged expert on the history of this city.
- Despite the controversy surrounding his early work, he remains the acknowledged leader in the field of quantum linguistics.

## Examples

- She acknowledged that the plan had some flaws.
- The government finally acknowledged the need for urgent reform after the public protests grew larger.
- While the author acknowledged the influence of earlier poets on her work, she maintained that the central metaphor was entirely her own invention.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.