[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/confess/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [C](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/c/) / confess # confess verb (confess, confesses, confessed, confessing) «confess» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. To confess is to admit that you did something wrong or something you are ashamed of. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/confess/#m1) 2. (church) To confess is to tell your sins to God or to a priest in order to be forgiven. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/confess/#m2) 3. (law) To confess is to tell the police or a court that you did a crime. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/confess/#m3) 4. "I must confess" can just mean "I admit", for a small thing: "I must confess I love cold pizza." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/confess/#m4) ### In the lessons In stories a character who confesses brings the truth into the open; the reader learns the mystery's answer. At home and school, confessing early usually makes things better than being caught. In church, Catholics confess to a priest; many Christians confess in silent or spoken prayer during the service. Phrases: confess to something, confess your sins, confess everything, I must confess. ### Examples - Lily confessed that she had taken the last chocolate. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/confess/#x1) - The thief confessed to the robbery. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/confess/#x2) - On Saturday, Nan went to confess her sins to the priest. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/confess/#x3) - I must confess, I forgot to feed the fish. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/confess/#x4) - He confessed to his teacher before anyone found out. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/confess/#x5) - Christians confess their sins and ask God for forgiveness. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/confess/#x6) - She finally confessed that she was scared of the dark. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/confess/#x7) - He confessed what he felt for her. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/confess/#x8) ### Note Regular verb: confessed (past). Noun confession. "Confess to + -ing/noun": "He confessed to breaking it." Spelling: double s. A person can confess under pressure to something they did not do, so a confession alone is not proof. ## In Jewish tradition Confession is required when someone is guilty, and the whole people confess their own and their fathers' wrongdoing. In Nehemiah and Chronicles, Israel confesses sins and prayer is made to God's house. **Interpretation.** Spoken confession (vidui) is a key step of repentance (teshuvah) and is central on Yom Kippur. ### Examples - and it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that wherein he hath sinned; (Torah LEV.5.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/confess/#x1) - And they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, in their treachery which they committed against Me, and also that they have walked contrary unto Me. (Torah LEV.26.40, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/confess/#x2) - Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee. (Writings JOB.40.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/confess/#x3) - And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. (Writings NEH.9.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/confess/#x4) - And if Thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, when they sin against Thee, and shall turn again and confess Thy name, and pray and make supplication before Thee in this house; (Writings 2CH.6.24, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/confess/#x5) ### Note Regular verb: confessed (past). Noun confession. "Confess to + -ing/noun": "He confessed to breaking it." Spelling: double s. A person can confess under pressure to something they did not do, so a confession alone is not proof. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «confess» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/confess/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«confess» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/confess.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «confess» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/confess/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«confess» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/confess.html) on Mova free.