acknowledging
v. · n. · adj.-
1 admitting or accepting (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateadmitting that something is true or exists.
accepting or admitting the existence or truth of something. Transitive — requires a direct object or a 'that' clause.
ExampleAcknowledging his mistake was the first step toward fixing the problem.
ExampleBy acknowledging the systemic failures within the department, the director paved the way for comprehensive structural reform.
UsageOften used as a gerund at the start of a sentence to establish a premise.
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2 confirming receipt (v.) B2 Upper Intermediate Formalshowing that you have received a letter, message, or gift.
confirming the receipt of a communication or item. Transitive — typically takes the received item as the object.
ExampleThank you for acknowledging my email so quickly.
ExampleThe clerk spent the morning acknowledging the influx of formal applications that had arrived over the weekend.
UsageCommon in professional and legal correspondence.
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3 the act of recognition (n.) C1 Advanced Archaic Formalthe act of admitting something or showing you have seen someone.
the action of expressing recognition or admission. Used as a verbal noun.
ExampleThe king gave a brief acknowledging of the crowd's cheers.
ExampleThe document provides a formal acknowledging of the debt owed to the estate.
Teacher's tipIn modern English, the noun 'acknowledgment' is almost always preferred over the gerund 'acknowledging' for this sense.
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4 showing recognition (adj.) C1 Advanced Literarydescribing someone who notices or recognizes something.
characterised by the act of noticing or recognising. Often used in a participial sense to describe a look or gesture.
ExampleShe gave him an acknowledging nod as she walked past his desk.
ExampleHe offered an acknowledging smile, silently confirming that he had heard the secret instructions despite the loud music.
From acknowledge + -ing.