confess

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.

“Confess” is pronounced kuhn-FEHS (/kənˈfɛs/ in IPA).

Here is “confess” used in a sentence: “He confessed to breaking the window.”

Words with a similar meaning to “confess” include acknowledge, admit, assent, avow, beknow and come clean.

The opposite of “confess” — its antonyms — are abjure, deny, disavow, disclaim and disown.

“Confess” is a verb.

The word “confess” comes from Latin. From Old French confesser, from Latin cōnfiteor, "to admit" — from con- + fateor ("to admit").

“Confess” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

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.

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.

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.