recommend

[rek-uh-mend]

verb (used with object)

1. to present as worthy of confidence, acceptance, use, etc.; commend; mention favorably.

   to recommend an applicant for a job; to recommend a book.

   Synonyms: condone, approve
   Antonyms: condemn

2. to represent or urge as advisable or expedient.

   to recommend caution.

3. to advise, as an alternative; suggest (a choice, course of action, etc.) as appropriate, beneficial, or the like.

   He recommended the blue-plate special. The doctor recommended special exercises for her.

   Synonyms: counsel

4. to make desirable or attractive.

   a plan that has very little to recommend it.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a recommendation.

noun

1. Informal.,  a recommendation.

recommend

/ ˌrɛkəˈmɛnd /

verb

1. (may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to advise as the best course or choice; counsel

   to recommend prudence

2. to praise or commend

   to recommend a new book

3. to make attractive or advisable

   the trip has little to recommend it

4. archaic,  to entrust (a person or thing) to someone else's care; commend

Other Word Forms

• recommender noun
• recommendable adjective
• prerecommend verb (used with object)
• unrecommendable adjective
• unrecommended adjective
• well-recommended adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of recommend¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English recommenden, from Medieval Latin recommendāre; equivalent to re- + commend

Word History and Origins

Origin of recommend¹

C14: via Medieval Latin from Latin _re- + commendāre to _commend

Example Sentences

“I think we have photos but I would not recommend viewing them!”

Read more on Wall Street Journal

We will take any new signals that arise, and we continue to recommend that one roll deeply in-the-money calls upward.

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That could have included residential rehabilitation, community-based treatment, detoxification, substitute prescriptions or any other treatment recommended by a health professional.

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In general, people should buy the highest “replacement-cost endorsement” — or optional addition to their policy — that they can afford, recommends United Policyholders.

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Chang recommended looking at a restaurant’s wine list beforehand, online—something I like to do, as well.

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Related Words

• advocate 
• back 
• confirm 
• endorse 
• favor 
• justify 
• praise 
• prescribe 
• propose 
• suggest 
• uphold 
• urge 

When To Use

Spelling tips for recommend

The word recommend is hard to spell because it is tricky to know whether the c, the m, and/or the n is doubled. How to spell recommend:  The easiest way to remember how to spell recommend is to break it into three parts: re - com - mend. You can keep these three sections in mind with the sentence: "I recommend that you rely commonly on mending."