classify

[klas-uh-fahy]

verb (used with object)

classified, classifying 

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

   Synonyms: group, categorize, rate, rank, class

2. to assign a classification to (information, a document, etc.).

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

classify

/ ˈklæsɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to arrange or order by classes; categorize

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

Other Word Forms

• classifiable adjective
• misclassify verb (used with object)
• nonclassifiable adjective
• overclassify verb (used with object)
• preclassify verb (used with object)
• unclassifiable adjective
• unclassifiableness noun
• unclassifiably adverb
• unclassifying adjective
• classifier noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of classify¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; from Latin classi(s) class + -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of classify¹

C18: back formation from _{classification}

Example Sentences

As time passed, newspapers became the primary source of job listings, with classified ads matching workers to trades, factories and domestic service.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They want the instrument to be classified as a "national treasure".

Read more on Barron's

During a seven-week trial, prosecutors argued that He sought to enrich herself by making it easy to get Adderall and other stimulants, which the government classifies as controlled substances with a high potential for abuse.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Because the program he was working on was classified, few Americans ever knew what had happened.

Read more on Literature

Air-traffic controllers, classified as essential personnel, were expected to work through the funding impasse, with paychecks deferred until the end of the shutdown.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• allocate 
• analyze 
• arrange 
• distribute 
• divide 
• label 
• organize 
• segregate