confess
Use Confess in a sentence
verb (used with object)
1.
to acknowledge or avow (a fault, crime, misdeed, weakness, etc.) by way of revelation.
2.
to own or admit as true: I must confess that I haven't read the book.
3.
to declare or acknowledge (one's sins), especially to God or a priest in order to obtain absolution.
4.
(of a priest) to hear the confession of (a person).
5.
to acknowledge one's belief or faith in; declare adherence to.
verb (used without object)
7.
to make confession; plead guilty; own: to confess to a crime.
8.
to make confession of sins, especially to a priest.
9.
(of a priest) to hear confession.
00:10
Confess
is always a great word to know.
So is consecrate. Does it mean:
| having a surface that is curved or rounded outward |
| to make or declare sacred; set apart or dedicate to the service of a deity: |
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English confessen < Anglo-French, Old French confesser < Medieval Latin confessāre, verbal derivative of Latin confessus, past participle of confitērī to admit, confess, equivalent to con- con- + -fitērī, combining form of fatērī to admit
1300–50; Middle English confessen < Anglo-French, Old French confesser < Medieval Latin confessāre, verbal derivative of Latin confessus, past participle of confitērī to admit, confess, equivalent to con- con- + -fitērī, combining form of fatērī to admit
Related forms
con·fess·a·ble, adjective
con·fess·ingly, adverb
half-con·fessed, adjective
pre·con·fess, verb (used with object)
un·con·fessed, adjective
Antonyms
1. conceal. 2. deny.
1. conceal. 2. deny.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To confess
Collins
World English Dictionary
confess (kənˈfɛs) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb (when intr, | |
| 1. | to make an acknowledgment or admission (of faults, misdeeds, crimes, etc) |
| 2. | (tr) to admit or grant to be true; concede |
| 3. | chiefly Christianity, RC Church to declare (one's sins) to God or to a priest as his representative, so as to obtain pardon and absolution |
| [C14: from Old French confesser, from Late Latin confessāre, from Latin confessus confessed, from confitērī to admit, from fatērī to acknowledge; related to Latin fārī to speak] | |
| con'fessable | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
confess
late 14c., from O.Fr. confesser, from L. confessus, pp. of confiteri "to acknowledge," from com- "together" + fatus, pp. of fateri "to admit," akin to fari "speak" (see fame). Its original religious sense was of one who avows his religion in spite of persecution or danger but
does not suffer martyrdom. Related: Confessed "self-acknowledged" (1560s).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Minds of a fine quality are more given to vigilance and to action than they are apt to confess.
Third parties appointed by attorney-in-fact are not authorized to confess judgment.
They confess how having kids has changed their lives.
Both she and her husband sob as they confess their fears and yearnings.
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