classify

[ klas-uh-fahy ]
See synonyms for: classifyclassifiedclassifies on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),clas·si·fied, clas·si·fy·ing.
  1. to arrange or organize by classes; order according to class.

  2. to assign a classification to (information, a document, etc.).: Compare classification (def. 5).

  1. to limit the availability of (information, a document, etc.) to authorized persons.

Origin of classify

1
First recorded in 1790–1800; from Latin classi(s) class + -fy

Other words for classify

Other words from classify

  • clas·si·fi·a·ble, adjective
  • mis·clas·si·fy, verb (used with object), mis·clas·si·fied, mis·clas·si·fy·ing.
  • non·clas·si·fi·a·ble, adjective
  • o·ver·clas·si·fy, verb (used with object), o·ver·clas·si·fied, o·ver·clas·si·fy·ing.
  • pre·clas·si·fy, verb (used with object), pre·clas·si·fied, pre·clas·si·fy·ing.
  • un·clas·si·fi·a·ble, adjective
  • un·clas·si·fi·a·ble·ness, noun
  • un·clas·si·fi·a·bly, adverb
  • un·clas·si·fy·ing, adjective

Words Nearby classify

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use classify in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for classify

classify

/ (ˈklæsɪˌfaɪ) /


verb-fies, -fying or -fied (tr)
  1. to arrange or order by classes; categorize

  2. government to declare (information, documents, etc) of possible aid to an enemy and therefore not available to people outside a restricted group

Origin of classify

1
C18: back formation from classification

Derived forms of classify

  • classifiable, adjective
  • classifier, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012