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0 English - Monolingual Dictionary

Confess

kənˈfɛs
Very common
~ 2100
~ 2100, Very common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Admitting or acknowledging a wrongdoing or fault, Admitting a belief or feeling, To disclose or reveal something private or secret

Confess - Meanings

Admitting or acknowledging a wrongdoing or fault

Example: He confessed to stealing the money from the company.
Usage: formalContext: legal proceedings, religious contexts, serious conversations
Note: This is the most common meaning of 'confess' and is often associated with admitting to a crime, sin, mistake, or wrongdoing.

Admitting a belief or feeling

Example: She confessed her love for him.
Usage: formal/informalContext: romantic relationships, personal conversations
Note: This meaning is used to express openly and honestly one's feelings, beliefs, or emotions.

To disclose or reveal something private or secret

Example: The spy confessed the details of the mission to his handler.
Usage: formalContext: espionage, confidential matters
Note: In this context, 'confess' is used to indicate revealing confidential information or secrets.

Confess's synonyms

admit

To admit is to acknowledge or confess to something that is true, especially something that may be embarrassing or difficult to accept.
Example: She admitted that she had made a mistake.
Note: Admit is often used in situations where someone acknowledges a fault, mistake, or wrongdoing.

acknowledge

To acknowledge is to accept or admit the existence or truth of something.
Example: He acknowledged his responsibility for the project's failure.
Note: Acknowledge is more general and can be used in a broader sense compared to confess, which is more specific to admitting to a wrongdoing.

reveal

To reveal is to make known or disclose something that was previously hidden or unknown.
Example: She revealed the truth about her past.
Note: Reveal may imply a more deliberate act of disclosure compared to confess, which often involves admitting something voluntarily or in response to questioning.

declare

To declare is to state or make known formally or officially.
Example: He declared his love for her in front of everyone.
Note: Declare is used in a broader sense to convey a formal or public announcement, whereas confess is more specific to admitting to a wrongdoing or secret.

Confess expressions, common phrases

Come clean

To admit the truth or confess something that has been hidden.
Example: It's time to come clean and confess what you did.
Note: This phrase implies a sense of honesty and transparency in admitting the truth.

Own up

To take responsibility for something, usually a mistake or wrongdoing.
Example: You need to own up to your mistake and confess.
Note: This phrase emphasizes taking ownership of one's actions and confessing voluntarily.

Spill the beans

To reveal a secret or confess information that was meant to be kept confidential.
Example: She finally spilled the beans and confessed about the surprise party.
Note: This phrase suggests revealing information that was previously unknown or secret.

Fess up

To confess or admit to something, especially when caught or confronted.
Example: Just fess up and confess that you broke the vase.
Note: This phrase is more informal and direct in urging someone to confess.

Come out with it

To finally reveal or confess something that has been kept secret or hidden.
Example: Stop beating around the bush and come out with your confession.
Note: This phrase implies a sense of urgency or impatience in wanting the confession to be made.

Spill your guts

To disclose everything, especially one's feelings or secrets, in a confession.
Example: He couldn't keep it a secret any longer and spilled his guts to confess.
Note: This phrase suggests a more intense and thorough confession, often involving revealing deeply held secrets or emotions.

Let the cat out of the bag

To reveal a secret or disclose information that was meant to be kept hidden.
Example: She accidentally let the cat out of the bag and confessed about the surprise party.
Note: This phrase typically implies an accidental or unintentional confession rather than a deliberate one.

Confess everyday (slang) expressions

Let it out

To express or confess one's feelings, thoughts, or secrets openly and honestly.
Example: It's time to let it out and share what's been on your mind.
Note:

Come clean with

To confess or reveal the truth about something that has been hidden or kept secret.
Example: He decided to come clean with his boss about the mistake he made.
Note:

Bare your soul

To reveal one's innermost thoughts, emotions, or secrets, especially in a vulnerable way.
Example: In that moment, he bared his soul and confessed his deepest fears.
Note:

Open up about

To confess or reveal personal information or feelings that were previously kept hidden or private.
Example: She finally opened up about her struggles with anxiety.
Note:

Get something off your chest

To confess or reveal something that has been weighing on one's mind or causing guilt or discomfort.
Example: He needed to get something off his chest and admit his mistake.
Note:

Cough up

To reluctantly or forcefully admit or confess something, especially when facing pressure or consequences.
Example: He had no choice but to cough up the truth about what really happened.
Note:

Confess - Examples

I need to confess something to you.
He finally confessed to the crime.
She went to church to confess her sins.

Confess grammar

Confess - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)
Lemma: confess
Conjugations
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): confessed
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): confessing
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): confesses
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): confess
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): confess
Syllabification and Stress
confess Contains 2 syllables: con • fess
Phonetic transcription: kən-ˈfes
con fess , kən ˈfes (The red syllable is stressed)

Confess - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
confess: ~ 2100 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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