To admit means to acknowledge that something is true, even when you'd rather not say it. When you admit you broke your sister's toy, you're accepting responsibility and telling the truth about what happened. When a student admits they didn't study for the test, they're being honest instead of making excuses.

The word also means to allow someone to enter a place. A ticket admits you to the movie theater. Hospitals admit patients who need treatment. Colleges admit students they've accepted. The person who checks tickets at a museum entrance works in admissions.

Admitting something difficult takes courage. It's easy to admit you ate the last cookie when everyone's happy about it, but harder to admit it when your brother wanted that cookie. It's easy to admit you won the race, but harder to admit you came in last.

The opposite of admitting something is denying it: refusing to accept that it's true. When someone asks, “Did you take my pencil?” you might admit it or deny it, depending on whether you're telling the truth.