admit
gb/ədmˈɪt/ us/ədmˈɪt/
A2
English
~ 1000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Acknowledge something as true
To say that something is true, often when you did not want to say it before.
Usage pattern:
to admit (that) [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'admit' with 'allow'. 'Admit' in this sense means to accept something is true, not to permit entry.
Synonyms
confess (Implies openly stating something that was hidden or secret, often about wrongdoing.)
|
acknowledge (More neutral; simply accepting a fact without implying guilt or wrongdoing.)
Antonyms
deny (Refuse to accept or state that something is true.)
Collocations
admit a mistake
|admit the truth
|admit guilt
|admit defeat
Themes
communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She finally admitted that she had lied.
- I must admit, I was wrong about him.
- He admitted knowing about the plan.
- They admitted their role in the accident.
Learner examples
- I admit I made a mistake.
- He admits he is tired.
- She admits she likes chocolate.
- We admit we are late.
Verb
A2
action
2
Allow entry to a place
To let someone go in or join something.
Usage pattern:
to admit [someone] to [a place/event]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse this meaning with 'accept' in the sense of agreeing with an idea. Here it is about physical or official entry.
Synonyms
allow in (Informal phrase meaning to let someone enter.)
|
grant entry (More formal; often used for official permission.)
Antonyms
exclude (To prevent someone from entering or being part of something.)
Collocations
admit visitors
|admit patients
|admit members
Themes
daily life
|travel
|housing
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The museum admits children under 12 for free.
- Only members are admitted to the club.
- The hospital admitted three new patients last night.
Learner examples
- The school admits new students in September.
- They admit visitors on weekends.
- The park admits dogs.
Verb
B2
action
3
Accept into an institution
To officially allow someone to join a group, school, or profession.
Usage pattern:
to admit [someone] to [institution/profession]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse being 'admitted' with physically entering; here it is about official acceptance into a group or role.
Synonyms
enroll (Focuses on registering someone for a course or institution.)
|
accept (General term for agreeing to take someone into a group.)
Antonyms
reject (To not allow someone to join or be part of something.)
Collocations
admit students
|admit applicants
|admit candidates
Themes
education
|law
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He was admitted to Harvard University last year.
- She was admitted to the bar after passing the exam.
- The academy admits only the top 10% of applicants.
Learner examples
- I was admitted to the university.
- They admitted her to the club.
- He was admitted to the hospital staff.
Verb
formal
B1
action
4
Accept responsibility for wrongdoing
To say you did something wrong and take responsibility for it.
Usage pattern:
to admit [wrongdoing/fault]
Synonyms
confess (Usually more personal and emotional; can be formal in legal contexts.)
|
own up (Informal; emphasizes personal honesty about a mistake.)
Antonyms
plead innocent (To state formally that you are not responsible for a wrongdoing.)
Collocations
admit guilt
|admit fault
|admit wrongdoing
Themes
law
|ethics
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The suspect admitted his involvement in the robbery.
- She admitted her mistake to her boss.
- They admitted breaking the rules.
Learner examples
- He admitted his crime.
- She admitted her mistake.
- They admitted they broke the law.
Grammar
Dictionary form
admit
IPA
GB/ədmˈɪt/
US/ədmˈɪt/
Syllables & stress
ad - mit (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (mit)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: admit
- 3rd Person Singular: admits
- Present Participle: admitting
- Past: admitted
Word family
Forms
admits
verb
admitting
verb
admitted
verb
Core family
admission
noun A2
Related words
admittance
noun
admittedly
adverb B2
Negative and opposite forms
inadmissible
adjective C1
Advanced or less common
admissible
adjective C1
admissibility
noun C1
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: admitting Verb
- Irregular past: admitted Verb
Expressions
be admitted to hospital
2/bˈi ædmˈɪtɪd tə hˈɔspˌɪtəl/
fixed phrase
Enter hospital for treatment
To be taken into a hospital for medical care.
Examples
- She was admitted to hospital after the accident.
- Three patients were admitted to hospital last night.
I must admit
3/ˈaɪ mˈʌst ədmˈɪt/
fixed phrase
Acknowledge before stating opinion
Used before you say something that may be surprising or show you were wrong.
Examples
- I must admit, I didn't expect you to win.
- I must admit, this cake is delicious.
admit defeat
1/ədmˈɪt dɪfˈit/
fixed phrase
Stop trying after failing
To accept that you cannot win and stop trying.
Examples
- After hours of trying, he finally admitted defeat and called for help.
- After hours of trying to fix the computer, he finally admitted defeat.
- We had to admit defeat and cancel the project.
- The company admitted defeat and withdrew from the market.