admitted: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
High frequency (C1 on CEFR scale for general use).Neutral to formal; used across all registers but often formal in institutional contexts (legal, academic).
Quick answer
What does “admitted” mean?
To agree, often reluctantly, that something is true.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To agree, often reluctantly, that something is true; to confess; to allow someone to enter a place, group, or institution.
Used in contexts ranging from granting access (to a school, hospital) to acknowledging a fact (often an uncomfortable one) in conversation or legal proceedings. The past tense form often carries the nuance of a concluded action of acknowledgment or acceptance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in core meaning or usage. Spelling of related words differs (e.g., BrE 'admittance' vs. AmE 'admission' for physical entry).
Connotations
Equally strong in both varieties. Slightly more formal when referring to institutional entry in BrE (e.g., 'admitted to hospital' vs. AmE 'admitted to the hospital').
Frequency
Comparably frequent. The institutional use (university, hospital) is common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “admitted” in a Sentence
admit (that) + clauseadmit to + noun/gerundadmit + nounadmit + direct objectbe admitted + to/into + nounVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “admitted” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She admitted she hadn't revised for the exam.
- He was admitted to King's College Hospital last night.
American English
- He admitted he hadn't studied for the test.
- She was admitted to the emergency room immediately.
adverb
British English
- This usage is rare to non-standard. 'Admittedly' is the standard adverb.
American English
- This usage is rare to non-standard. 'Admittedly' is the standard adverb.
adjective
British English
- He is an admitted fan of classical music.
- It is an admitted weakness in the proposal.
American English
- She's a self-admitted chocolate addict.
- This is an admitted flaw in the design.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The CEO admitted the quarterly targets were not met."
Academic
"The study is limited, as the authors themselves admitted."
Everyday
"I admitted I'd forgotten her birthday."
Technical
"The patient was admitted for overnight observation."
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “admitted”
- Using 'admitted to do' instead of 'admitted doing' (He admitted stealing the car).
- Confusing 'admitted' with 'permitted' in institutional contexts (He was admitted to the club vs. He was permitted to join the club).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While often used for uncomfortable truths, it can be neutral: 'She admitted her love for jazz' or 'He was admitted as a member.'
They are often interchangeable, but 'admitted' is the official administrative term. 'Accepted' focuses more on the student's choice to attend after receiving an offer.
The base form is 'admit'. 'Admitted' is the past tense and past participle. For present actions, use 'admits' or 'admit': 'He admits his mistake.'
It's 'admitted doing' or 'admitted to doing'. After 'admit', use a gerund (-ing form) or a noun clause: 'He admitted stealing the car' or 'He admitted that he stole the car.'
To agree, often reluctantly, that something is true.
Admitted is usually neutral to formal; used across all registers but often formal in institutional contexts (legal, academic). in register.
Admitted: in British English it is pronounced /ədˈmɪt.ɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ədˈmɪt̬.ɪd/ or /ædˈmɪt̬.ɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “An admitted fact”
- “A self-admitted expert”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ADMITted: Think of ADMIT as opening a door to the truth or to a place. The '-ted' ending shows it happened in the past — the door of truth/access was opened.
Conceptual Metaphor
ADMITTING IS RELEASING/OPENING: You release a secret (open your mouth) or open a door to allow entry.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'admitted' used CORRECTLY?