recognize
to identify as something or someone previously seen, known, etc.: He had changed so much that one could scarcely recognize him.
to identify from knowledge of appearance or characteristics: I recognized him from the description.They recognized him as a fraud.
to perceive as existing or true; realize: to be the first to recognize a fact.
to acknowledge as the person entitled to speak at a particular time: The Speaker recognized the congressman from Maine.
to acknowledge formally as entitled to treatment as a political unit: The United States promptly recognized Israel.
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.
to acknowledge or treat as valid: to recognize a claim.
to acknowledge acquaintance with, as by a greeting, handshake, etc.
to show appreciation of (achievement, service, merit, etc.), as by some reward, public honor, or the like.
Law. to acknowledge (an illegitimate child) as one's own.
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.
Origin of recognize
1- Also especially British, rec·og·nise .
Other words for recognize
Other words from recognize
- rec·og·niz·a·ble [rek-uhg-nahy-zuh-buhl, rek-uhg-nahy-], /ˈrɛk əgˌnaɪ zə bəl, ˌrɛk əgˈnaɪ-/, adjective
- rec·og·niz·a·bil·i·ty, noun
- rec·og·niz·a·bly, adverb
- rec·og·niz·er, noun
- non·rec·og·nized, adjective
- pre·rec·og·nize, verb (used with object), pre·rec·og·nized, pre·rec·og·niz·ing.
- qua·si-rec·og·nized, adjective
- un·rec·og·niz·a·ble, adjective
- un·rec·og·niz·a·bly, adverb
- un·rec·og·nized, adjective
- un·rec·og·niz·ing, adjective
- well-rec·og·nized, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use recognize in a sentence
Di was delighted when she was served in the bar without being recognised.
Princess Diana's Night Out With Freddie Mercury in a Gay Bar | Tom Sykes | April 1, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTTE Lawrence, for example, finally recognised “that I could not sincerely take on the Arab skin,” and the same is true of Paddy.
He hardly recognised himself, for, the foundations being shaken, all that was built upon them trembled too.
The Wave | Algernon BlackwoodMr. Agnew saw the picture, recognised its merit, and wrote a cheque for the full amount asked.
His exceptional ability was soon recognised and his promotion was rapid.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph Tatlow
Once on active service it was not long before his great qualities made themselves recognised.
Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-PattisonBut though the Emperor recognised that he was no longer the Ney of former days, he still retained him in his command.
Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-Pattison
British Dictionary definitions for recognize
recognise
/ (ˈrɛkəɡˌnaɪz) /
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
to accept or be aware of (a fact, duty, problem, etc): to recognize necessity
to give formal acknowledgment of the status or legality of (a government, an accredited representative, etc)
mainly US and Canadian to grant (a person) the right to speak in a deliberative body, debate, etc
to give a token of thanks for (a service rendered, etc)
to make formal acknowledgment of (a claim, etc)
to show approval or appreciation of (something good or pleasing)
to acknowledge or greet (a person), as when meeting by chance
(intr) mainly US to enter into a recognizance
Origin of recognize
1Derived forms of recognize
- recognizable or recognisable, adjective
- recognizability or recognisability, noun
- recognizably or recognisably, adverb
- recognizer or recogniser, 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
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