admittance
C1/C2 (Low frequency; used in specific formal or technical contexts)Formal, Legal, Technical. Not common in casual conversation where 'admission' or 'entry' is preferred.
Definition
Meaning
The act or process of entering or being allowed to enter a physical place, institution, or situation, often implying formal permission or right.
Permission to enter; the right or ability to gain access to a place, group, or status. In physics/electrical engineering, it is the measure of how easily alternating current flows through a circuit (the reciprocal of impedance).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often carries a nuance of official permission or physical access, distinct from the more abstract 'admission' which can refer to confessing or acknowledging a fact. In technical contexts, it is a precise term.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical, though slightly more common in UK legal/formal property contexts. The technical (physics) meaning is universal.
Connotations
Both varieties perceive it as formal. In AmE, it might sound slightly more legalistic or archaic.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but the technical meaning ensures its presence in engineering texts globally.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
gain/seek/be denied + admittance + to + PLACE/INSTITUTIONNO admittance + (to + GROUP/PLACE)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No admittance (sign on a door)”
- “Gain admittance to the inner circle”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to access to premises or exclusive events/clubs.
Academic
Used in legal, historical, or sociological texts discussing access to institutions.
Everyday
Rare. Primarily seen on 'No Admittance' signs.
Technical
Precise term in electrical engineering for the reciprocal of impedance (Y).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The pass will admit you.
- He was admitted to the bar.
American English
- This key admits you to the lounge.
- She was admitted to the hospital.
adverb
British English
- He looked at her admittedly.
- Admittedly, the process is slow.
American English
- Admittedly, I was wrong.
- The plan is admittedly risky.
adjective
British English
- The admitting officer checked his credentials.
- An admissible piece of evidence.
American English
- Go to the admitting desk at the ER.
- The testimony was ruled admissible.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The sign on the door says 'No Admittance'.
- She was refused admittance to the club because she was under 18.
- Gaining admittance to the ancient library required special permission from the dean.
- The electrical circuit's admittance was calculated to optimise power flow in the new device.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a ticket granting you ADMIT-TANCE (a chance to be admitted) to a concert.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACCESS IS A KEY; AN INSTITUTION IS A FORTRESS (gaining admittance is like being given the key to the fortress).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'признание' (confession/admission of guilt). 'Admittance' is about physical/permission-based 'допуск' or 'вход'. The electrical term is 'адмиттанс'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'admittance' to mean 'confession' (use 'admission').
- Overusing in casual contexts where 'entry' or 'getting in' suffices.
- Confusing 'No admission' (often for events) with 'No admittance' (often for physical spaces).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'admittance' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, 'admittance' refers to physical entry or permission to enter a place. 'Admission' can also mean this, but more commonly refers to the price paid to enter OR the act of confessing or acknowledging something (e.g., 'admission of guilt').
No, it's a low-frequency, formal word. In everyday speech, people use 'entry', 'access', or 'getting in'. You'll see it most on official signs ('No Admittance') or in technical fields.
Rarely. It's strongly tied to physical or institutional access. For abstract entry (e.g., 'admission to a state of bliss'), 'admission' is more typical. The electrical engineering usage is a specialised technical abstraction.
Link it to its opposite: Impedance (Z) *resists* current flow. Admittance (Y) *admits* or allows it. It's literally how readily a circuit 'admits' alternating current.