cognizable

[ kog-nuh-zuh-buhl, kon-uh-, kog-nahy- ]

adjective

1. capable of being perceived or known.
2. being within the jurisdiction of a court.

cognizable

/ ˈkɒnɪ-; ˈkɒɡnɪzəbəl /

adjective

1. perceptible
2. law susceptible to the jurisdiction of a court

Derived Forms

• ˈcognizably, adverb

Other Words From

• cogni·za·bly adverb
• non·cogni·za·ble adjective
• non·cogni·za·bly adverb
• pre·cogni·za·ble adjective
• un·cogni·za·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cognizable¹

First recorded in 1670–80; cogniz(ance) + -able

Example Sentences

To the extent any of these particular plaintiffs have a judicially cognizable claim, it would be against the Senate and the House of Representatives.

From Vox

If his comments were libellous, the libel was cognizable in the ordinary courts of law.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet nothing could be more obvious than that the breach of any statute was cognizable before the courts of law.

From Project Gutenberg

Similarly, no articulate sound is cognizable until the inarticulate sounds which go to make it up have been learned.

From Project Gutenberg

Assignments--not cognizable, unless drawn up at the judge-advocate's office and registered.

From Project Gutenberg

Agreements--not cognizable, unless written and registered; being witnessed by one person, not a prisoner.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• appreciable
• audible
• detectable
• discernible
• distinct
• distinguishable
• observable
• palpable

More About Cognizable

What does cognizable mean?

Cognizable means capable of being perceived or known. A close synonym is perceptible.

The related adjective cognizant means aware of something or having knowledge of it. Such awareness can be called cognizance.

In a legal context, cognizable is used in a more specific way meaning within the jurisdiction of a court.

Example: At what point did you become cognizant of the fact that you were not receiving everything that you were promised?

Where does cognizable come from?

The first records of cognizable come from the 1670s. It ultimately comes from the Latin cognōscere, meaning “to know.” The word cognition is based on the same root.

For something to be considered cognizable, it must be able to be known, noticed, or perceived in some way. Being cognizant of something is recognizing that it exists, having knowledge of it, or being aware of it. Some things may be cognizable by some but not cognizable by others, depending on their perceptive abilities.

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What are some other forms related to cognizable?

• cognizably (adverb)
• noncognizable (adjective)
• noncognizably (adjective)

What are some synonyms for cognizable?

• perceptible
• perceivable

What are some words that share a root or word element with cognizable? 

• cognizant
• cognizance
• cognition
• recognizance

What are some words that often get used in discussing cognizable?

• knowledge
• difference
• fact
• observe
• know
• information

How is cognizable used in real life?

Cognizable is more formal and less commonly used than its synonym perceptible.

"The business of self-storage can become a perverse kind of trap. Many people make bad and unexamined financial choices; many collect junk; many put off decisions. But the storage unit can make those problems discrete, cognizable."
-Rafil Kroll-Zaidi https://t.co/nA8atw3ykj

— Harper's Magazine (@Harpers) September 17, 2020

Do read it. It's not addressed as a question of safety, but as a balance of harms. (Those w/o a connection have less cognizable harm.)

— Brad Heath (@bradheath) June 26, 2017

(2/x) And any increase in social tensions that might result isn't a "bug." It's actually a feature.

Having an easily cognizable "other" can be beneficial for leaders seeking to increase their personal political power … even if that harms the nation's long-term interests.

— Carl Minzner (@CarlMinzner) September 4, 2020

 

 

Try using cognizable!

Is cognizable used correctly in the following sentence?

These details are not easily cognizable—you have to look very closely.