acknowledgement

An admission that something exists or is true.

• We wanted an acknowledgement of the problem.
• His apology included an acknowledgement of his mistake.
• There was no acknowledgement that anyone had been hurt.

How to use it: acknowledgement of something (Her statement was an acknowledgement of the facts.); acknowledgement that… (We received an acknowledgement that mistakes had been made.)

Similar words: admission, recognition

Opposites: denial

Common phrases: acknowledgement of something, public acknowledgement

An expression showing that someone or something is valued or deserves thanks.

• Her hard work deserves acknowledgement.
• They gave him a medal in acknowledgement of his service.
• The volunteers received public acknowledgement for their efforts.

How to use it: in acknowledgement of something (She received flowers in acknowledgement of her help.)

Similar words: recognition, appreciation

Common phrases: in acknowledgement of, deserve acknowledgement

A note in a book in which the writer thanks people who helped.

• I read the acknowledgements first.
• The author mentioned her teacher in the acknowledgements.
• He wrote a short acknowledgement thanking his family.

Similar words: thanks

Common phrases: book acknowledgement, write an acknowledgement