commit
gb/kəmˈɪt/ us/kəmˈɪt/
B1
English
~ 1500
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Promise or decide firmly
To say you will do something and mean it.
Usage pattern:
to commit to [something/doing something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'commit' with 'admit'. 'Commit' is about deciding or promising; 'admit' is about accepting or confessing something.
Synonyms
pledge (More formal and often used in public or ceremonial contexts.)
Antonyms
withdraw (To take back a promise or decision.)
Collocations
commit to a decision
|commit to a relationship
|commit fully
|commit resources
|commit oneself
Themes
decisions
|relationships
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She decided to commit to the project despite the risks.
- He has committed to improving his health this year.
- They committed to working together on the campaign.
- Once you commit, you need to follow through.
- The company committed to reducing its carbon emissions.
Learner examples
- I will commit to learning English every day.
- He committed to helping his friend.
- We commit to being on time.
- She commits to doing her homework every night.
- They commit to working together.
Verb
B1
action
2
Do something illegal or wrong
To do something against the law or bad.
Usage pattern:
to commit [a crime/offense/mistake]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes incorrectly use 'do' instead of 'commit' when talking about crimes ('do a crime' is incorrect).
Synonyms
perpetrate (More formal and often used in legal or journalistic contexts.)
Antonyms
obey (To follow the law instead of breaking it.)
Collocations
commit a crime
|commit murder
|commit fraud
|commit an offense
|commit a sin
Themes
law
|crime
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He was arrested for committing fraud.
- Someone committed a serious crime in the neighborhood.
- The suspect committed several burglaries before being caught.
- They committed an act of vandalism on the school property.
- She committed a terrible mistake at work.
Learner examples
- He committed a crime.
- They committed a big mistake.
- The man committed theft.
- She committed a bad act.
- Someone committed murder.
Verb
B2
action
3
Send someone to prison/hospital officially
To send someone to prison or hospital because the law says so.
Usage pattern:
to commit [someone] to [prison/hospital]
Synonyms
confine (More general, can refer to any kind of restriction, not only legal.)
Antonyms
release (To allow someone to leave prison or hospital.)
Collocations
commit someone to prison
|commit someone to hospital
|committed involuntarily
Themes
law
|healthcare
|health
Examples
- The judge committed him to prison for five years.
- She was committed to a mental institution after the trial.
- They committed the patient for observation.
- He was committed involuntarily due to his condition.
- The court decided to commit the accused until sentencing.
Learner examples
- The judge committed him to prison.
- She was committed to hospital by the police.
- They committed him for treatment.
- He was committed for safety reasons.
- The court committed her after the case.
Verb
technical
B2
action
4
Save changes in version control system
In computers, to save your changes in a special system that tracks them.
Usage pattern:
to commit [changes/code]
Synonyms
save (General term for storing data, but not specific to version control.)
Antonyms
revert (To undo changes previously saved in version control.)
Collocations
commit changes
|commit code
|commit files
Themes
computing
|software
|technology
|work
Examples
- Don't forget to commit your code before you push it.
- She committed the latest changes to the repository.
- We need to commit these updates before merging branches.
- He accidentally committed sensitive data.
- They committed all bug fixes before release.
Learner examples
- I will commit my changes now.
- She commits her code every day.
- We commit updates after testing.
- He commits files often.
- They commit fixes quickly.
Grammar
Dictionary form
commit
IPA
GB/kəmˈɪt/
US/kəmˈɪt/
Syllables & stress
com - mit (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (mit)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: commit
- 3rd Person Singular: commits
- Present Participle: committing
- Past: committed
Word family
Forms
commits
verb
committing
verb
committed
verb
Core family
commitment
noun B1
Related words
committee
noun B1
recommit
verb
Negative and opposite forms
uncommitted
adjective
noncommittal
adjective
Advanced or less common
overcommit
verb
overcommitment
noun
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: committing Verb
- Irregular past: committed Verb
Expressions
commit an offense
1/kəmˈɪt ən əfˈɛns/
fixed phrase
Carry out an illegal act
To do something that breaks the law or rules.
Examples
- He was fined for committing an offense while driving.
- Committing an offense can lead to jail time.
commit oneself (to something)
1/kəmˈɪt wˌʌnsˈɛlf tə sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Dedicate oneself fully
To give your time and energy completely to something.
Examples
- She committed herself to finishing the degree.
- They are ready to commit themselves to the cause.
commit resources (to)
1/kəmˈɪt ɹˈisɔɹsɪz tə/
fixed phrase
Allocate resources for purpose
To give money, time, or people for a job or goal.
Examples
- The company committed resources to expand its operations.
- We need to commit more resources to education.
commit fraud
1/kəmˈɪt fɹˈɔd/
fixed phrase
Carry out fraudulent activities illegally
To cheat in order to get money or benefits illegally.
Examples
- The accountant was arrested for committing fraud.
- He was sent to prison for committing fraud.
- They committed fraud by faking documents.
- Anyone who commits fraud will face serious legal consequences.
commit suicide
1/kəmˈɪt sˈuɪsˌaɪd/
fixed phrase
Intentionally end one’s own life
To kill yourself on purpose.
Examples
- The news reported that he had committed suicide.
- The novel tells the story of a man who decides to commit suicide.
- She was struggling with depression and attempted to commit suicide.
- He was afraid his friend might commit suicide after the breakup.
- Talking openly can help people who are thinking about committing suicide.