admittedly
gb/ædmˈɪtɪdli/ us/ædmˈɪtɪdli/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
relation
1
used to concede a point
You use it to say: “I agree this is true.”
Usage pattern:
Admittedly, [clause] (but [clause]).
Common mistake:
Do not use *admittingly* (nonstandard). Do not confuse with *admirably*.
Synonyms
granted (Often shorter and more conversational; common in 'Granted, ... but ...'.)
|
to be fair (More informal and explicitly signals fairness/balance.)
|
concededly (More formal and less common.)
Collocations
admittedly, but
|admittedly, however
|admittedly, though
|admittedly, I
|admittedly, we
|admittedly, it is
|admittedly, there is
|admittedly, this
|admittedly true
|admittedly not
Themes
conversation
|argumentation
|writing
Examples
- Admittedly, I was nervous, but I still went on stage.
- Admittedly, the proposal has risks; however, doing nothing is worse.
- She’s strict, admittedly, yet her students learn a lot.
Learner examples
- Admittedly, I made a mistake.
- Admittedly, it is expensive, but it lasts a long time.
adverb
formal
B2
state
2
as is openly acknowledged
It means “as everyone accepts/admits.”
Usage pattern:
[something] is admittedly [adjective/participle].
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse it where simple 'really/very' is needed; it signals acknowledgment, not intensity.
Synonyms
acknowledgedly (Very formal and rare; similar meaning.)
|
undeniably (Stronger: suggests it cannot be denied, not merely conceded.)
Collocations
admittedly difficult
|admittedly flawed
|admittedly incomplete
|admittedly biased
|admittedly limited
|admittedly small
|admittedly outdated
|admittedly imperfect
|admittedly controversial
|admittedly subjective
Themes
writing
|description
Examples
- The evidence is admittedly incomplete, so the conclusion is tentative.
- It’s an admittedly risky move, but it could pay off.
- His approach was admittedly unconventional for the time.
Learner examples
- The room was admittedly small.
- The report is admittedly limited.
adverb
C1
relation
3
according to what someone admits
It means “by their own admission.”
Usage pattern:
[someone] is admittedly [noun/adjective].
Common mistake:
Be careful: it usually implies the person has openly said it, not just that you think it is true.
Synonyms
by their own admission (A longer phrase with the same idea; more explicit.)
|
self-confessed (Usually used before a noun (e.g., 'a self-confessed foodie').)
Collocations
admittedly a
|admittedly an
|admittedly not a
|admittedly no
|admittedly the
|admittedly my
|admittedly his
|admittedly her
Themes
conversation
|reporting
Examples
- He is admittedly a beginner, so he’s still learning the basics.
- She’s admittedly no expert, but she has practical experience.
- I’m admittedly not a morning person.
Learner examples
- I am admittedly a beginner.
- He is admittedly not an expert.
Grammar
Dictionary form
admittedly
IPA
GB/ædmˈɪtɪdli/
US/ædmˈɪtɪdli/
Syllables & stress
ad - mit - tedly (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (mit)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: admittedly
- Plural: admittedlies
Word family
Forms
admittedlies
noun
Related words
admittance
noun
Negative and opposite forms
inadmissible
adjective C1
Advanced or less common
admissible
adjective C1
admissibility
noun C1
Expressions
admittedly so
1/ædmˈɪtɪdli sˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
formal
agreeing that it is true
It means “Yes, that is true.”
Examples
- The process is slow—admittedly so—but it’s reliable.
- It was a risky decision, admittedly so, given the lack of data.
- The rules are strict, admittedly so, because safety matters.
admittedly, ...
1/ædmˈɪtɪdli | |/
fixed phrase
introduces a concession
It means “I accept this is true.”
Examples
- Admittedly, I didn’t handle that well.
- Admittedly, it’s not perfect, but it works.
- Admittedly, we were late to the meeting.
admittedly, [clause], but [clause].
1/ædmˈɪtɪdli | klˈɔz | bˈʌt klˈɔz ‖/
fixed phrase
concede then contrast
It means “This is true, but something else is also true.”
Examples
- Admittedly, the hotel is far from the center, but it’s much cheaper.
- Admittedly, I was annoyed, but I shouldn’t have shouted.
- Admittedly, the deadline is tight, but we can still finish on time.
yes, admittedly.
1/jˈɛs | ædmˈɪtɪdli ‖/
fixed phrase
agreeing with a criticism
It means “Yes, that’s true,” often before adding more.
Examples
- Yes, admittedly, I should have told you sooner.
- Yes, admittedly, the first version was messy, but we fixed it.
- Yes, admittedly, I was wrong about the timing.