confess
gb/kənfˈɛs/ us/kənfˈɛs/
B1
English
~ 2200
beismer, beismerő vallomást tesz, bevall, megvall, szerelmet vall, meggyón, gyón
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to confess [something] to [someone]
He finally confessed to stealing the money.
Végül beismerte, hogy ellopta a pénzt.
The suspect confessed his involvement in the robbery.
A gyanúsított beismerte, hogy részt vett a rablásban.
Under questioning, she confessed to lying about her alibi.
After hours of interrogation, the prisoner confessed everything.
She confessed her role in the scheme to the authorities.
Learner examples
He confessed to the police.
Beismerő vallomást tett a rendőrségen.
She confessed that she took the bag.
Beismerte, hogy ő vette el a táskát.
The man confessed his crime.
They confessed to breaking the window.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'confess' with 'admit', not realizing 'confess' usually involves guilt or wrongdoing.
Meaning
Admit to wrongdoing or crime
Collocations
confess a crime
|confess to the police
|confess to murder
|confess under pressure
Synonyms
admit (More general; can be used for both good and bad things, not only wrongdoing.)
|
own up (Informal; similar meaning but more casual.)
Antonyms
deny (To say something is not true, especially when accused of wrongdoing.)
Themes
law
|emotions
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say that you did something bad or against the law.
To state that you have done something wrong, illegal, or against the rules.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to confess [feeling/thought] to [someone]
He confessed his love for her after years of friendship.
Évekig tartó barátság után szerelmet vallott neki.
I must confess I was nervous before the interview.
Be kell vallanom, ideges voltam az interjú előtt.
She confessed that she had always wanted to travel alone.
He finally confessed his true feelings about the project.
Learner examples
I confessed my love to her.
Szerelmet vallottam neki.
She confessed that she was afraid.
Bevallotta, hogy fél.
He confessed his dream to be a singer.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'confess' for neutral statements; it usually implies vulnerability or privacy.
Meaning
Admit personal feelings or thoughts
Collocations
confess love
|confess feelings
|confess a secret
Synonyms
reveal (More general; can refer to any kind of information.)
|
disclose (More formal; often used for sensitive information.)
Antonyms
conceal (To keep something secret or hidden.)
Themes
relationships
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To tell someone about a feeling you have, even if it is private.
To openly state a personal emotion, desire, or thought, often something private or embarrassing.
VERB
B2
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
to confess [sins] to [priest/God]
Catholics are encouraged to confess their sins regularly.
A katolikus hívőket arra buzdítják, hogy rendszeresen gyónjanak.
He confessed to the priest during Mass.
A mise alatt meggyónt a papnál.
She went to church to confess before Easter.
Learner examples
I confessed my sins to the priest.
Meggyóntam a bűneimet a papnak.
He went to church to confess.
Elment a templomba gyónni.
She confessed before God.
Meaning
Admit sins in religion
Collocations
confess sins
|confess to a priest
|confess before God
Synonyms
absolve oneself (Less common; refers to seeking forgiveness, not the act of telling.)
Antonyms
hide sins (To avoid admitting sins in a religious context.)
Themes
religion
|communication
Definition
To tell a priest about your sins so you can be forgiven.
To tell a priest or religious authority about one's sins as part of a religious practice.
Grammar
Dictionary form
confess
IPA
GB/kənfˈɛs/
US/kənfˈɛs/
Syllables & stress
con - fess (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fess)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: confess
- 3rd Person Singular: confesses
- Present Participle: confessing
- Past: confessed
Word family
Forms
confesses
verb
confessing
verb
confessed
verb
Core family
confession
noun B1
Related words
confessional
adjective
confessor
noun
Negative and opposite forms
deny
verb B1
Expressions
confess one's love
1/kənfˈɛs wˈʌnz lˈʌv/
fixed phrase
Tell someone you love them
To tell someone that you love them.
Examples
- He finally confessed his love for her after months of hesitation.
- She decided it was time to confess her love.
confess to something
1/kənfˈɛs tə sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Admit doing something specific
To say that you did a certain thing, often something wrong.
Examples
- The suspect confessed to the crime during questioning.
- She confessed to cheating on the test.
I must confess
1/ˈaɪ mˈʌst kənfˈɛs/
fixed phrase
Admit before making a statement
Used before saying something personal or embarrassing.
Examples
- I must confess, I don't really like chocolate.
- I must confess I haven't read that book.