recognize

[ rek-uhg-nahyz ]

/ ˈrɛk əgˌnaɪz /

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See synonyms for: recognize / recognized / recognizes / recognizing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), rec·og·nized, rec·og·niz·ing.

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR recognize

3 acknowledge, appreciate, understand, grant, concede.

See synonyms for recognize on Thesaurus.com

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

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Also especially British, rec·og·nise .

Origin of recognize

1425–75; recogn(ition) + -ize; replacing late Middle English racunnysen, recognisen<Old French reconuiss-, stem of reconuistre<Latin recognōscere, equivalent to re-re- + cognōscere to know¹; see cognition

OTHER WORDS FROM recognize

rec·og·niz·a·ble

[rek-uhg-nahy-zuh-buhl, rek-uhg-nahy-], /ˈrɛk əgˌnaɪ zə bəl, ˌrɛk əgˈnaɪ-/, adjectiverec·og·niz·a·bil·i·ty, nounrec·og·niz·a·bly, adverbrec·og·niz·er, noun

non·rec·og·nized, adjectivepre·rec·og·nize, verb (used with object), pre·rec·og·nized, pre·rec·og·niz·ing.qua·si-rec·og·nized, adjectiveun·rec·og·niz·a·ble, adjectiveun·rec·og·niz·a·bly, adverbun·rec·og·nized, adjectiveun·rec·og·niz·ing, adjectivewell-rec·og·nized, adjective

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

How to use recognize in a sentence

Karen recognizes herself refracted into multiple characters throughout Sarah’s book.
The mind-boggling end of Susan Choi’s Trust Exercise, explained|Constance Grady|November 20, 2020|Vox
Local health officials will be tasked with getting the vaccine to any non-federally recognized tribal communities.
Virginia’s coronavirus numbers are rising. Here’s what you need to know.|Antonio Olivo|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
“It’s important to recognize, just as before, that while we are closing the buildings, the Smithsonian is still open online,” he added.
Smithsonian, National Gallery to close as coronavirus cases spike|Peggy McGlone, Sebastian Smee|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
So yes, whether it’s traditional school, cyber school, home school or self-directed learning, we all must decide what’s best for us, but it’s critical that we recognize the advantages in those decisions, should there be any.
Distance learning was a disaster. So I decided to teach my daughter myself.|Tracey Lewis-Giggetts|November 19, 2020|Washington Post

You’ll probably recognize yourself in their grief, their interrupted days, their pursuit of normalcy — and feel a little less alone because of their words.
The most 2020 books of 2020|Angela Haupt|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
“I do not support gay marriages being recognized in Florida,” he wrote Andrew Walther of Sanford.
Jeb Bush’s Unseen Anti-Gay Marriage Emails|Jackie Kucinich|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Security officials told Agence France-Presse that the gas station manager said he had recognized the two men.
France Mourns—and Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I think part of being in the public eye is getting recognized, and dealing with positive and negative scrutiny.
Tim Howard’s Wall of Intensity|William O’Connor|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Prado was the first name I recognized here since I used to live a few blocks from the Prado museum in Madrid when I was 20.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind|Brin-Jonathan Butler|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Good, caring teachers recognized his talent and challenged him to work hard to compete at the highest levels.
Your Local School Doesn’t Have to Suck|Michael S. Roth|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Here and there roving parties appeared, but having no recognized leaders, their existence did not invalidate the treaty.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
Crystals of urea nitrate or oxalate (Fig. 19) will soon appear and can be recognized with the microscope.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Hilda took the letter with apprehension, as she recognized the down-slanting calligraphy of Sarah Gailey.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
His unbounded generosity won for him the admiration of all his race, who graciously recognized him as their Maguinoó.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
They are recognized by their concentric striations and their blue color with iodin solution.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd

British Dictionary definitions for recognize

recognize

recognise

/ (ˈrɛkəɡˌnaɪz) /

verb (tr)

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

Derived forms of recognize

recognizable or recognisable, adjectiverecognizability or recognisability, nounrecognizably or recognisably, adverbrecognizer or recogniser, noun

Word Origin for recognize

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

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

recognize

OTHER WORDS FOR recognize

Origin of recognize

OTHER WORDS FROM recognize

Words related to recognize

How to use recognize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for recognize

recognise

Derived forms of recognize

Word Origin for recognize