# admit

/ədˈmɪt/ (US) · /ɐdmˈɪt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to confess or agree

verb · CEFR B1

to agree that something is true, especially when you are unhappy or embarrassed about it.

For teachers: to concede or acknowledge the truth of a statement or the reality of a situation, often reluctantly.

- At first he said he was innocent, but finally he admitted that he had made a mistake.
- The CEO was forced to admit that the company had significantly underperformed during the final quarter of the fiscal year.

Usage: Often followed by a 'that' clause or a gerund (-ing form).

### 2. to allow entry

verb · CEFR B1

to let someone enter a building, a room, or a private place.

For teachers: to permit physical entrance to a specific location or facility.

- The security guard refused to admit anyone who did not have a valid ID card.
- The museum gallery is designed to admit only fifty visitors at a time to ensure the preservation of the delicate frescoes.

Usage: Usually transitive, taking a direct object for the person being allowed in.

### 3. hospital or school

verb · CEFR B2

to officially accept someone into a hospital for care or into a school as a student.

For teachers: to formally accept an individual into an institution, such as a hospital for medical treatment or a university for study.

- My grandfather was admitted to the hospital last night for some heart tests.
- The university only admits ten percent of applicants to its prestigious doctoral programme each year.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice in medical contexts.

### 4. to permit or allow for

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to make something possible or to have space for different ideas.

For teachers: to be capable of or to permit a particular interpretation or action; often used with 'of'.

- The rules are very clear and do not admit of any other meaning.
- The evidence presented by the prosecution was so overwhelming that it did not admit of any alternative explanation.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrase 'admit of'.

## Examples

- He finally had to admit that he was wrong.
- After hours of questioning, the suspect decided to admit his involvement in the robbery to the police.
- The prestigious university will only admit students who demonstrate exceptional academic potential and a commitment to community service.

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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.