View synonyms for recognize

recognize

especially British, rec·og·nise

[rek-uhg-nahyz]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

recognized, recognizing

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.
Synonyms: concede, grant, understand, appreciate, acknowledge
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.

recognize

/ 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)
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) to enter into a recognizance

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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. )

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C15: from Latin recognoscere to know again, from _re- + cognoscere to know, ascertain

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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ask about any extra fees you don’t recognize, and tell the dealer to remove add-ons you don’t want.

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