The word "acknowledge" is spelled with a silent "d" and pronounced /əkˈnɒlɪdʒ/. The "a" is pronounced as a short "uh" sound, followed by a "k" sound, then a short "o" sound, and a long "i" sound. The "d" at the end is silent, which can make it easy to misspell. To remember how to spell it, try breaking it down into "ack" and "knowledge" or use mnemonic devices such as "A Candy Kiss Is Sweet On Little Lippy Cheeks."
Acknowledge is a verb that refers to recognizing, accepting, or admitting the existence, truth, or validity of something. It involves expressing or indicating awareness, understanding, or acceptance of an idea, fact, or situation. When one acknowledges something, they are typically giving recognition or confirming its presence or importance.
In a social context, to acknowledge someone means to greet, respond, or show recognition towards them, often through a verbal or non-verbal gesture. It entails accepting the presence or contribution of an individual or group and validating their existence or actions.
In a more formal setting, to acknowledge can also denote the act of formally recognizing or accrediting the receipt of something, such as a letter, document, or payment. It involves explicitly accepting or confirming that the event or exchange took place and may involve a written statement or documentation.
Furthermore, acknowledging can encompass the act of expressing gratitude or appreciation for someone's efforts, kindness, or support. By acknowledging someone's help or generosity, we are displaying our gratitude and recognizing the positive impact they have had.
Overall, "acknowledge" carries the connotation of recognizing, accepting, greeting, accrediting, or being grateful. It involves a conscious decision to register the presence, validity, or significance of something or someone in various social, formal, or appreciative contexts.
To own; to confess; to admit to be true; to assent to.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "acknowledge" can be traced back to the Old English word "oncnāwan" which meant "to recognize or admit as true". This word was a combination of the prefix "on-" meaning "into" or "on" and "cnāwan" meaning "to know" or "to recognize". Over time, the word evolved into "acknowen" in Middle English, which eventually became the modern spelling "acknowledge" in Early Modern English.