What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Acknowledge vs Owe - What's the difference?

acknowledge | owe |

As verbs the difference between acknowledge and owe

is that acknowledge is to admit the knowledge of; to recognize as a fact or truth; to declare one's belief in; as, to acknowledge the being of a god while owe is to be under an obligation to give something back to someone or to perform some action for someone.

acknowledge

English

Alternative forms

* acknowledg (obsolete)

Verb

(acknowledg)
  • To admit the knowledge of; to recognize as a fact or truth; to declare one's belief in; as, to acknowledge the being of a god.
  • :* I acknowledge my transgressions. - ''Psalm 51:3 .
  • :* ''For ends generally acknowledged to be good. -
  • To own or recognize in a particular quality, character or relationship; to admit the claims or authority of; to give recognition to.
  • :* In all thy ways acknowledge Him. - ''Proverbs 3:6
  • :* By my soul, I'll ne'er acknowledge thee. - , III-v
  • To own with gratitude or as a benefit or an obligation; as, to acknowledge a favor.
  • :* ''They his gifts acknowledged none. -
  • To notify receipt, as of a letter.
  • To own as genuine or valid; to assent to, as a legal instrument, to give it validity; to avow or admit in legal form; as, to acknowledge a deed.

    • Usage notes

    * Acknowledge'' is opposed to keep back, or conceal, and supposes that something had been previously known to us (though perhaps not to others) which we now feel bound to lay open or make public. Thus, a man ''acknowledges'' a secret marriage; one who has done wrong ''acknowledges'' his fault; and author ''acknowledges'' his obligation to those who have aided him; we ''acknowledge our ignorance. * Recognize'' supposes that we have either forgotten or not had the evidence of a thing distinctly before our minds, but that now we know it (as it were) anew, or receive and admit in on the ground of the evidence it brings. Thus, we ''recognize'' a friend after a long absence. We ''recognize'' facts, principles, truths, etc., when their evidence is brought up fresh to the mind; as, bad men usually ''recognize'' the providence of God in seasons of danger. A foreign minister, consul, or agent, of any kind, is ''recognized on the ground of his producing satisfactory credentials. * See also confess

    Synonyms

    * avow, proclaim, recognize, own, admit, allow, concede, confess

    Derived terms

    * acknowledgeable * acknowledged * acknowledgedly * acknowledge the corn * acknowledged

    Related terms

    * acknowledgment

    References

    *

    owe

    English

    Verb

    (ow)
  • To be under an obligation to give something back to someone or to perform some action for someone.
  • *1854 , Dickens, Hard Times , Chapter 7:
  • *:He inherited a fair fortune from his uncle, but owed it all before he came into it, and spent it twice over immediately afterwards.
  • To have debt, to be in debt.

    • Usage notes

    * The original past tense form was ought, which during Middle English began to be used with indefinite signification and has become a distinct verb. The original past participle has become the adjective own.

    Anagrams

    *