recognize

American  

[rek-uhg-nahyz] / ˈrɛk əgˌnaɪz /

especially British, recognise

verb (used with object)

recognized, recognizing

1. to identify as something or someone previously seen, known, etc..

   He had changed so much that one could scarcely recognize him.

2. to identify from knowledge of appearance or characteristics.

   I recognized him from the description.

   They recognized him as a fraud.

3. to perceive as existing or true; realize.

   to be the first to recognize a fact.

   Synonyms:

   concede, grant, understand, appreciate, acknowledge

4. to acknowledge as the person entitled to speak at a particular time.

   The Speaker recognized the congressman from Maine.

5. to acknowledge formally as entitled to treatment as a political unit.

   The United States promptly recognized Israel.

6. to acknowledge or accept formally a specified factual or legal situation.

   to recognize a successful revolutionary regime as the de facto government of the country.

7. to acknowledge or treat as valid.

   to recognize a claim.

8. to acknowledge acquaintance with, as by a greeting, handshake, etc.

9. to show appreciation of (achievement, service, merit, etc.), as by some reward, public honor, or the like.

10. Law. to acknowledge (an illegitimate child) as one's own.

11. Biochemistry, Immunology. to bind with, cleave, or otherwise react to (another substance) as a result of fitting its molecular shape or a portion of its shape.

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recognize British  

/ ˈrɛkəɡˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to perceive (a person, creature, or thing) to be the same as or belong to the same class as something previously seen or known; know again

2. to accept or be aware of (a fact, duty, problem, etc)

   to recognize necessity

3. to give formal acknowledgment of the status or legality of (a government, an accredited representative, etc)

4. to grant (a person) the right to speak in a deliberative body, debate, etc

5. to give a token of thanks for (a service rendered, etc)

6. to make formal acknowledgment of (a claim, etc)

7. to show approval or appreciation of (something good or pleasing)

8. to acknowledge or greet (a person), as when meeting by chance

9. (intr) to enter into a recognizance

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Other Word Forms

• nonrecognized adjective
• prerecognize verb (used with object)
• quasi-recognized adjective
• recognizability noun
• recognizable adjective
• recognizably adverb
• recognizer noun
• unrecognizable adjective
• unrecognizably adverb
• unrecognized adjective
• unrecognizing adjective
• well-recognized adjective

Etymology

Origin of recognize

First recorded in 1425–75; recogn(ition) ( def. ) + -ize ( def. ); replacing late Middle English racunnysen, recognisen, from Old French reconuiss-, stem of reconuistre, from Latin recognōscere, equivalent to re- re- ( def. ) + cognōscere “to know ¹ ( def. ) ”; cognition ( def. )

Explanation

When, at a meeting, you wave your hand wildly, you want to be recognized. When the chairperson finally says, “I recognize the man who is about to fall out of his seat,” don't forget what you wanted to say. The verb recognize comes from the Latin root words re (again) and cognoscere (to know) – literally “to know again” or “to identify.” If your own identical twin doesn't recognize you, you might be wearing too much makeup. Recognize can also mean “to acknowledge” or “to appreciate.” When you recognize the donors for their generous contributions to your fundraising event, your parents say, “You're welcome.”

Example Sentences

“If we don’t recognize Rue or the others in some fundamental way, that’s risky,” Monk-Payton said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

“They recognize their power is tenuous,” said Sarah Riccardi-Swartz, a religion professor at Northeastern University who has experience studying right-wing Orthodox Christianity.

From Slate • Apr. 9, 2026

“It’s an oil exporter, valuations are depressed, and the market is starting to recognize that fundamentals may be stronger than sentiment suggests,” he says, pointing to the energy sector as central to the investment case.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

While most Americans recognize the importance of studying the autistic brain, far fewer understand the role that brain donation after death plays in advancing scientific discoveries.

From Science Daily • Apr. 8, 2026

Jonah stared at the girl, to make sure he’d recognize her later on too.

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• admit
• agree
• allow
• appreciate
• grant
• honor
• make
• perceive
• realize
• respect
• sanction
• see