classify

[ klas-uh-fahy ]

/ ˈklæs əˌfaɪ /

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See synonyms for: classify / classified / classifies on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), clas·si·fied, clas·si·fy·ing.

to arrange or organize by classes; order according to class.

to assign a classification to (information, a document, etc.).Compare classification (def. 5).

to limit the availability of (information, a document, etc.) to authorized persons.

OTHER WORDS FOR classify

1 class, rank, rate, categorize, group.

See synonyms for classify on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of classify

1790–1800; <Latin classi(s) class + -fy

OTHER WORDS FROM classify

clas·si·fi·a·ble, adjectivemis·clas·si·fy, verb (used with object), mis·clas·si·fied, mis·clas·si·fy·ing.non·clas·si·fi·a·ble, adjectiveo·ver·clas·si·fy, verb (used with object), o·ver·clas·si·fied, o·ver·clas·si·fy·ing.

pre·clas·si·fy, verb (used with object), pre·clas·si·fied, pre·clas·si·fy·ing.un·clas·si·fi·a·ble, adjectiveun·clas·si·fi·a·ble·ness, nounun·clas·si·fi·a·bly, adverbun·clas·si·fy·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use classify in a sentence

Zooming out, the team argues, you could classify most real fractured-rock mosaics using just Platonic rectangles, 2D Voronoi patterns, and then — overwhelmingly — Platonic cubes in three dimensions.
Scientists Uncover the Universal Geometry of Geology|Joshua Sokol|November 19, 2020|Quanta Magazine
That means the players were classified as high-risk close contacts to an individual with the coronavirus, reportedly Steelers tight end Vance McDonald.
Ben Roethlisberger among four Steelers players quarantined as coronavirus contacts|Mark Maske|November 10, 2020|Washington Post
The league presses on with its recently changed approach of mandating five-day quarantines for those classified as high-risk close contacts of an individual who tests positive.
Steelers stay unbeaten, Chargers drop another heartbreaker in NFL Week 9|Cindy Boren, Mark Maske, Des Bieler|November 9, 2020|Washington Post
The push to pass the ballot measure and override a bill passed by the California State Legislature that would have forced companies that use gig workers to classify them as employees was an expensive undertaking.
After Prop 22’s passage, Uber is taking its lobbying effort global|Kirsten Korosec|November 5, 2020|TechCrunch

In Stafford’s case, he must be in quarantine for five days under the NFL’s protocols after being classified as a high-risk close contact to an individual with the coronavirus.
Lions’ Matthew Stafford, multiple 49ers offensive players placed on teams’ covid-19 lists|Mark Maske|November 5, 2020|Washington Post
The disappearance of Air France Flight 447 with 228 people aboard was also classifiable as a result of loss of control.
Flight 370 Didn’t Disappear: We Missed It|Clive Irving|March 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Numerous as the varieties are, they have all been found classifiable under five leading ones:—1.
Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation|Robert Chambers
In that case, Mr. Chairman, if you will let me suggest, the interests represented at the conference are easily classifiable.
Arguments before the Committee on Patents of the House of Representatives, conjointly with the Senate Committee on Patents, on H.R. 19853, to amend and consolidate the acts respecting copyright|United States Committee on Patents
World sense and intelligible, are they separate or classifiable together, vi.
Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 4|Plotinos (Plotinus)
Lore and facts about these animals are dispersed in many books not classifiable under natural history.
Guide to Life and Literature of the Southwest|J. Frank Dobie
He had a passion for listing and indexing books, music, any loose classifiable thing.
Mr. Britling Sees It Through|H. G. Wells

British Dictionary definitions for classify

classify

/ (ˈklæsɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (tr)

to arrange or order by classes; categorize

government to declare (information, documents, etc) of possible aid to an enemy and therefore not available to people outside a restricted group

Derived forms of classify

classifiable, adjectiveclassifier, noun

Word Origin for classify

C18: back formation from classification

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

classify

OTHER WORDS FOR classify

Origin of classify

OTHER WORDS FROM classify

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How to use classify in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for classify

Derived forms of classify

Word Origin for classify