Emit vs. Admit — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 4, 2023
Emit means to release or send out something like light, sound, or a signal; Admit means to confess something or allow entry.
Difference Between Emit and Admit
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The word "emit" is used when something sends out energy or signals, like light, sound, or radiation. "Admit" can refer to the act of acknowledging a fact or belief that is typically reluctant or to allow someone to enter a place. While emit is a term related to projection or release, admit often involves a form of acceptance or concession.
"Emit" can imply a form of transmission, often used in scientific contexts, such as when a body emits radiation. On the other hand, "admit" is used in contexts where there is an aspect of permission or confession, such as when a person admits to a mistake or a venue admits spectators. Each term carries its distinct form of action; one externalizes while the other internalizes.
The use of "emit" doesn’t imply any reception or acknowledgment by others, as it simply means to send out. However, "admit" inherently involves the presence of another party to whom the admission is made or who is granted entry or access. To emit is to simply release, without a direct object required, but to admit typically involves an object - the thing or person being admitted.
"Emit" is more about an outward action, and there is no connotation of judgment or decision-making in the act of emitting. In contrast, "admit" often carries an undertone of judgment or discretion, as admitting a truth often requires a decision to reveal something or to allow access involves a decision by the admitting party.
Lastly, "emit" is frequently used in a more technical or scientific manner, describing processes and phenomena, such as a star emitting light. "Admit" is more commonly used in everyday language, reflecting social and personal actions, such as admitting a friend into your home or admitting to a feeling or action.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To send out or give off.
To confess or allow entry.
Context of Use
Scientific and technical fields.
Social, legal, and personal contexts.
Connotation
Neutral, often physical process.
Can imply guilt or permission.
Grammar
Transitive verb, does not require an object.
Transitive verb, typically requires an object.
Examples
A bulb emits light.
A club admits members.
Compare with Definitions
Emit
To release or produce something like a sound or light.
The alarm will emit a loud sound in case of a breach.
Admit
To allow entrance or access to a place.
The concert will admit fans at 6 PM.
Emit
To give off energy or particles.
The sun emits both light and heat.
Admit
To accept someone into an organization or group.
The university admits thousands of students each year.
Emit
To express or voice out something.
He emitted a cry of joy when he heard the news.
Admit
To allow the possibility of something.
The contract does not admit the possibility of a refund.
Emit
To send forth waves or particles.
The radio tower emits a signal that reaches miles away.
Admit
Confess to be true or to be the case
‘I am feeling pretty tired,’ Jane admitted
The Home Office finally admitted that several prisoners had been injured
Emit
Produce and discharge (something, especially gas or radiation)
Even the best cars emit carbon dioxide
Admit
Allow (someone) to enter a place
Old-age pensioners are admitted free to the museum
Emit
To give or send out (matter or energy)
Isotopes that emit radioactive particles.
A stove emitting heat.
Admit
Accept as valid
The courts can refuse to admit police evidence which has been illegally obtained
Emit
To give out as sound; utter
"She emitted her small strange laugh" (Edith Wharton).
Admit
Allow the possibility of
The need to inform him was too urgent to admit of further delay
Emit
To voice; express
Emit an idea.
Admit
To grant to be real, valid, or true; acknowledge or concede
Even proponents of the technology admit that it doesn't always work as well as it should.
Emit
To issue with authority, especially to put (currency) into circulation.
Admit
To disclose or confess (guilt or an error, for example).
Emit
(transitive) To send out or give off.
Admit
To afford opportunity for; permit
We must admit no delay in the proceedings.
Emit
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Admit
To allow to enter
A crack in the wall that admitted some light.
Emit
(intransitive) To come out, to be sent out or given off.
Admit
To grant the right to enter
This ticket admits two to the performance of the play.
Emit
To send forth; to throw or give out; to cause to issue; to give vent to; to eject; to discharge; as, fire emits heat and smoke; boiling water emits steam; the sun emits light.
Lest, wrathful, the far-shooting god emitHis fatal arrows.
Admit
To accept into an organization or group
The college admits fine arts students.
Emit
To issue forth, as an order or decree; to print and send into circulation, as notes or bills of credit.
No State shall . . . emit bills of credit.
Admit
To accept (someone) as an inpatient in a hospital.
Emit
Expel (gases or odors)
Admit
To accept into evidence as relevant and otherwise admissible
The judge admitted the testimony of the expert.
Emit
Give off, send forth, or discharge; as of light, heat, or radiation, vapor, etc.;
The ozone layer blocks some harmful rays which the sun emits
Admit
To afford possibility
A problem that admits of no solution.
Emit
Express audibly; utter sounds (not necessarily words);
She let out a big heavy sigh
He uttered strange sounds that nobody could understand
Admit
To allow entrance; afford access
A door admitting to the hall.
Emit
To discharge something, especially gas or radiation.
Factories emit tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every day.
Admit
To make acknowledgment; confess
Admitted to committing the crime.
Admitted to a weakness for sweets.
Admit
One who is admitted.
Admit
(transitive) To allow to enter; to grant entrance (to), whether into a place, into the mind, or into consideration
A ticket admits one into a playhouse.
They were admitted into his house.
To admit a serious thought into the mind
To admit evidence in the trial of a cause
Admit
(transitive) To allow (someone) to enter a profession or to enjoy a privilege; to recognize as qualified for a franchise.
To admit an attorney to practice law
The prisoner was admitted to bail
Admit
(transitive) To concede as true; to acknowledge or assent to, as an allegation which it is impossible to deny
The argument or fact is admitted
He admitted his guilt
She admitted taking drugs / she admitted to taking drugs
Admit
(transitive) To be capable of; to permit. In this sense, "of" may be used after the verb, or may be omitted.
The words do not admit such a construction.
Admit
(intransitive) To give warrant or allowance, to grant opportunity or permission (+ of).
Circumstances do not admit of this
The text does not admit of this interpretation
Admit
(transitive) To allow to enter a hospital or similar facility for treatment.
Admit
To suffer to enter; to grant entrance, whether into a place, or into the mind, or consideration; to receive; to take; as, they were into his house; to admit a serious thought into the mind; to admit evidence in the trial of a cause.
Admit
To give a right of entrance; as, a ticket admits one into a playhouse.
Admit
To allow (one) to enter on an office or to enjoy a privilege; to recognize as qualified for a franchise; as, to admit an attorney to practice law; the prisoner was admitted to bail.
Admit
To concede as true; to acknowledge or assent to, as an allegation which it is impossible to deny; to own or confess; as, the argument or fact is admitted; he admitted his guilt.
Admit
To be capable of; to permit; as, the words do not admit such a construction. In this sense, of may be used after the verb, or may be omitted.
Both Houses declared that they could admit of no treaty with the king.
Admit
Declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of;
He admitted his errors
She acknowledged that she might have forgotten
Admit
Allow to enter; grant entry to;
We cannot admit non-members into our club
Admit
Allow participation in or the right to be part of; permit to exercise the rights, functions, and responsibilities of;
Admit someone to the profession
She was admitted to the New Jersey Bar
Admit
Admit into a group or community;
Accept students for graduate study
We'll have to vote on whether or not to admit a new member
Admit
Afford possibility;
This problem admits of no solution
This short story allows of several different interpretations
Admit
Give access or entrance to;
The French doors admit onto the yard
Admit
Have room for; hold without crowding;
This hotel can accommodate 250 guests
The theater admits 300 people
The auditorium can't hold more than 500 people
Admit
Serve as a means of entrance;
This ticket will admit one adult to the show
Admit
To confess or acknowledge truthfully.
He admitted his mistake and apologized.
Admit
To concede the truth or validity of something.
She admitted that the argument had some merit.
Common Curiosities
What does 'admit' mean?
Admit means to confess something or to allow someone to enter.
Can 'emit' refer to emotions?
Emit typically refers to physical substances, not emotions.
Are 'emit' and 'admit' antonyms?
They are not antonyms but have different meanings.
What does 'emit' mean?
Emit means to send out a substance, signal, or energy.
Does 'admit' always mean confession?
Admit can mean confession or granting access.
Is it correct to say a machine 'admits' signals?
No, a machine would 'emit' signals, not admit them.
Can 'admit' be involuntary?
Admitting something is generally considered a voluntary action.
Can 'admit' be used in a scientific context?
Admit is less common in science and more in social or legal contexts.
Is 'emit' used in everyday language?
Emit is more common in technical or scientific contexts.
Do 'emit' and 'admit' have the same root?
No, they come from different Latin roots.
Can an object 'admit' something?
Typically, only subjects with the capacity to decide can admit.
How is 'admit' used in a medical context?
Admit can refer to allowing a patient into a hospital.
Is 'emit' a physical or metaphorical action?
Emit is primarily a physical action.
Do 'emit' and 'admit' have similar grammatical usage?
They are both transitive verbs, but their usage is context-dependent.
Can 'emit' have a legal context?
It's rare; 'emit' is mainly scientific or technical.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
