admission
C1Formal and Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The process or fact of being allowed to enter a place, group, or institution, or the fee charged for this.
A statement acknowledging the truth of something, often something one has done wrong or is reluctant to accept. The process by which patients are accepted into a hospital.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word straddles contexts of permission/entry and confession/disclosure. The first sense is more common. In a medical context, it specifically refers to entering hospital care.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English, 'admission' for hospitals often uses the phrase 'admitted to hospital' (without article). US English typically uses 'admitted to the hospital'. In university contexts, 'admissions' (plural) for the office/department is universal.
Connotations
No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in US English in 'college admissions' discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
admission to + place/institution (She gained admission to Oxford.)admission of + noun (He made an admission of failure.)admission that + clause (Her admission that she was wrong surprised everyone.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “by/on your own admission (used to introduce something that someone admits is true)”
- “a tacit admission (an admission implied without being stated directly)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the price of entry to an event or venue, or the process of allowing someone into a membership club.
Academic
Central to university/college processes: 'The admissions committee reviewed her application.'
Everyday
Used for museums, cinemas, parks: 'Admission is £10 for adults.'
Technical
In healthcare, refers to the formal acceptance of a patient into a hospital for treatment.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He was admitted to hospital with chest pains.
- The society admits new members each spring.
American English
- She was admitted to the hospital last night.
- The club admits new applicants on a rolling basis.
adverb
British English
- Admittedly, the process is quite complex.
- He spoke admittedly frankly about his past.
American English
- Admittedly, I didn't read the fine print.
- She admittedly made a mistake.
adjective
British English
- The admissions tutor handles all undergraduate applications.
- He faced an admission charge of five pounds.
American English
- The admissions office is located in the main hall.
- There's an admission price listed on the website.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The admission to the park is free for children.
- He made an admission about eating the cake.
- University admission depends on your exam results.
- Her silence was seen as an admission of guilt.
- The hospital reported a sharp rise in emergency admissions last weekend.
- By his own admission, he was not prepared for the challenge.
- The stringent admission criteria ensure only the most promising candidates are selected.
- The diplomat's statement was construed as a tacit admission of the policy's failure.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ADMISSION' as having a 'MISSION' to get IN. You need ADMISSION to enter and begin your mission at a university or event.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENTRANCE IS A GATE/CONTROLLED BARRIER (e.g., 'gates of admission', 'barriers to admission'). KNOWLEDGE/TRUTH IS A CONTAINED OBJECT (e.g., 'wrest an admission from someone', 'extract an admission').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'допуск' (which is more about permission/clearance for a task). 'Admission' for an event is closer to 'вход' or 'плата за вход'. 'Признание' is the closest for the 'confession' sense.
- Avoid using 'admission' to mean an advertisement (реклама).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I paid an admission for the concert.' Correct: 'I paid the admission fee for the concert.' OR 'I paid for admission to the concert.'
- Incorrect preposition: 'admission in the university'. Correct: 'admission to the university'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'admission' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Admission' is more common and broader, covering permission to enter, fees, and confessions. 'Admittance' is more formal and technical, often referring purely to the physical act of entering a place (e.g., 'No admittance').
No, while very common for universities ('Office of Admissions'), it can refer to the total number of people admitted to any institution (e.g., 'Hospital admissions were down this month') or to multiple instances of confessions.
No, 'admission' is only a noun. The related verb is 'to admit'.
Use 'admission to' for places/institutions (admission to the club). Use 'admission of' for what is being confessed (admission of guilt). Use 'admission that' to introduce a clause (admission that he was late).