Etymology Map
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Confess

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to admit a fault

Where does the word "confess" come from? It comes from Latin confiteri, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
confiteri
Latin · ancient
"to acknowledge"
'com-' plus 'fateri', to admit
2
Stage 2 of 3
confesser
Old French · medieval
"to confess"
used for religious confession
3
Stage 3 of 3
confess
English · 1300s
"to admit sins"
Augustine's 'Confessions' (c. 400) made it a word for spiritual memoirs
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Read the full story

Confess’s story begins in Latin: confiteri meant “to acknowledge.” 'com-' plus 'fateri', to admit. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as confesser. Used for religious confession. It reached English by 1300s as confess. Augustine's 'Confessions' (c. 400) made it a word for spiritual memoirs. Today, confess means to admit a fault.