ENGLISH
REFERENCE

confessed

v. · adj.
US //kənˈfɛst// UK //kənfˈɛst// con·fessed
  1. 1 admitted a crime or mistake (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Law

    admitted that you did something wrong or illegal.

    admitted to a crime, fault, or error, often under legal or moral pressure. Transitive or used with the preposition 'to'.

    Example

    After hours of questioning, the suspect finally confessed to the robbery.

    Example

    The defendant confessed to the charges only after the prosecution presented overwhelming forensic evidence that linked him to the scene.

    Usage

    Often followed by the preposition 'to' when referring to an action or crime.
    Pitfall
    He confessed the crime to the police.
    He confessed to the crime.

    While you can confess a secret, when talking about a crime or a specific action, you usually need the preposition 'to'.

  2. 2 shared a secret feeling (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    told someone a secret or a feeling that you had been keeping inside.

    disclosed a private thought, feeling, or desire that was previously hidden.

    Example

    She confessed that she had been feeling very lonely lately.

    Example

    He confessed his long-standing admiration for her work during the quiet moments of the retirement dinner.
  3. 3 admitted or self-identified (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    describes someone who has openly admitted to being or doing something.

    denoting a person who has openly admitted to a particular habit, belief, or identity. Usually placed before the noun.

    Example

    As a confessed chocolate lover, he couldn't resist the dessert menu.

    Example

    The author, a confessed technophobe, still writes all of his initial drafts using a fountain pen and heavy bond paper.

    Usage

    Almost exclusively used in an attributive position before a noun.

Last updated June 20, 2026