confess
kuhn-FEHS
Confess (verb) means to admit that you have done something wrong, or that something is true. Example: “He confessed to breaking the window.”
verb
1
To admit that you have done something wrong, or that something is true.
"He confessed to breaking the window."
"She confessed she had never actually read the book."
"I have to confess that I ate the last slice of cake."
2
To tell a priest about your sins as part of a religious practice.
"He went to confess before Sunday Mass."
"Every month she visits the church to confess her sins to the priest."
"In the small booth, the old man quietly began to confess."
How to use confess
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo own up to something, whether it's a crime, a mistake, a secret, or a religious sin.
Common pairings
confess to a crime
confess your feelings
confess a sin
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- confesses
- Past tense
- confessed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ to breaking the window.
Etymology
From Old French confesser, from Latin cōnfiteor, "to admit" — from con- + fateor ("to admit").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “confess” mean?
The word “confess” means to admit that you have done something wrong, or that something is true. In plain terms, to own up to something, whether it's a crime, a mistake, a secret, or a religious sin.
How do you pronounce “confess”?
“Confess” is pronounced kuhn-FEHS (/kənˈfɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “confess” in a sentence?
Here is “confess” used in a sentence: “He confessed to breaking the window.”
What is another word for “confess”?
Words with a similar meaning to “confess” include acknowledge, admit, assent, avow, beknow and come clean.
What is the opposite of “confess”?
The opposite of “confess” — its antonyms — are abjure, deny, disavow, disclaim and disown.
What part of speech is “confess”?
“Confess” is a verb.
Where does the word “confess” come from?
The word “confess” comes from Latin. From Old French confesser, from Latin cōnfiteor, "to admit" — from con- + fateor ("to admit").
Is “confess” a common word?
“Confess” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between confess and admit?
Confess and admit both mean to acknowledge that something is true or that you have done something wrong, but confess often carries a stronger sense of formality or moral weight, especially regarding wrongdoing, while admit can be used for more neutral acknowledgments.
What does it mean to confess in a religious context?
In a religious context, to confess means to tell a priest about your sins as part of a religious practice, a specific ritual sense distinct from the general meaning of admitting wrongdoing or truth.
Is confess used only for wrongdoing?
No, confess can also be used more broadly to admit that something is true, such as confessing a preference or feeling, though its most common use relates to acknowledging fault or wrongdoing.
