admit that one has committed a crime or done something wrong: [with clause]:he confessed that he had attacked the old man [no object]:he wants to confess to Caroline’s murder [with direct speech]:‘I damaged your car,’ she confessed
acknowledge something reluctantly, typically because one feels slightly ashamed or embarrassed: [with clause]:I must confess that I half believed you [no object]:he confessed to a lifelong passion for food
[with object] declare (one’s religious faith):150 people confessed faith in Christ
declare one’s sins formally to a priest: [with object]:I could not confess all my sins to the priest [no object]:he gave himself up after confessing to a priest
[with object] (of a priest) listen to the confession of:St Ambrose would weep bitter tears when confessing a sinner
