recognize

[ rek-uhg-nahyz ]

/ ˈrɛk əgˌnaɪz /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR recognize 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.

Words nearby recognize

reclusion, reco-reco, recognition, recognition factor, recognizance, recognize, recognizee, recognizor, recoil, recoil escapement, recoil-operated

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

SYNONYMS FOR recognize

3 acknowledge, appreciate, understand, grant, concede.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR recognize ON THESAURUS.COM

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for recognizes

Scotland Yard released a video of the extraordinary crime in an appeal for anyone who recognizes the man to come forward.
Thief Hypnotizes Shopkeeper, Then Robs Him|Nico Hines|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But she also recognizes that it places women who are told that they screened for HPV in a frustrating limbo.
The Silent Shame of HPV|Emily Shire|August 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Dr. Drape recognizes that she will always have to manage her scoliosis.
Yoga Is Good for You. But Is It Medicine?|DailyBurn|June 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He notes that “at least one paper” recognizes that the cause of the tail is “poorly understood.”
The Crazy Way Creationists Try To Explain Human Tails Without Evolution|Karl W. Giberson|June 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST

At the same time, she recognizes that he is loving and protective of Sansa as well.
Game of Thrones’ Sibel Kekilli Discusses Shae’s Treachery at the Trial of Tyrion Lannister|Marlow Stern|May 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Such competition, although simple and direct, recognizes no national bounds.
Railroads: Rates and Regulations|William Z. Ripley
Germany recognizes the total independence of German Austria in the boundaries traced.
Kelly Miller's History of the World War for Human Rights|Kelly Miller
Don Marquis recognizes as well as any one the value of the slapstick as a mirth-provoking instrument.
Shandygaff|Christopher Morley
She thinks she recognizes that quilt—she missed one off her clothesline several nights ago.
The Castaways of Pete's Patch|Carroll Watson Rankin
Moreover he recognizes his divine father as the only one who can heal him in his present distress.
Homer's Odyssey|Denton J. Snider

British Dictionary definitions for recognizes

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

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

Content related to recognize

Words related to recognize

Words nearby recognize

Origin of recognize

SYNONYMS FOR recognize

OTHER WORDS FROM recognize

Examples from the Web for recognizes

British Dictionary definitions for recognizes

recognise

verb (tr)

Derived forms of recognize

Word Origin for recognize