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acknowledge someone's presence
/əkˈnɒlɪdʒ ˈsʌmwʌnz ˈprɛzəns/
recognize someone's existence
She acknowledged his presence with a polite nod.
She recognized his existence by nodding politely.
formalinformal
To recognize or show awareness of someone being present, often through a gesture, word, or action.
The host acknowledged the guest's presence by offering a drink.
The host recognized the guest's arrival by offering a drink.
He didn't acknowledge her presence when she entered the room.
He ignored her when she walked in.
This phrase is commonly used in social and professional settings to indicate recognition of someone's arrival or existence in a space.
Collocations
acknowledge someone's presencerecognize someone's existence
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Politeness in Social Settings
Acknowledging someone's presence is a basic social courtesy, especially in formal or professional environments.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
The way you acknowledge someone's presence can vary depending on the relationship and setting (e.g., a nod in a meeting vs. a warm greeting with a friend).
Word Origin
Derived from the verb 'acknowledge' (Middle English 'acknowleden', from Old English 'oncnāwan') combined with the phrase 'someone's presence' (from Latin 'praesentia', meaning 'being present').
Usage Notes
This phrase is often used in formal or polite contexts to show respect or awareness of another person's presence. It can be verbal or non-verbal (e.g., a nod, a smile, or a gesture).
Word Breakdown
acknowledge
to accept or recognize something
rootsomeone's
a person's
possessivepresence
the state of being present
nounEnglish Dictionary