recognize

especially British, rec·og·nise

[rek-uhg-nahyz]

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.

recognize

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of recognize¹

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. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of recognize¹

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

Example Sentences

“I was somewhat recognized, but not as directly. Right now, if you type my name into Google, TikTok, YouTube — any platform — my entire life shows up.”

From Los Angeles Times

Democrats have recognized his prowess, with California Gov. Gavin Newsom hosting him on his podcast earlier this year in an appeal to young, predominantly male voters lost by the Democrats in recent years.

From Los Angeles Times

“I believe that our arms sales should be in accordance with humanitarian and international law. I believe, though, that we also need to recognize that Israel lives in a really dangerous neighborhood,” Jenkins said.

From Salon

“I didn’t recognize any of the numbers,” Morales said.

From Los Angeles Times

That was a result of the 2019 Reproductive Health Act, which recognized access to abortion and reproductive care as fundamental rights.

From Salon

Related Words

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