to present as worthy of confidence, acceptance, use, etc.; commend; mention favorably: to recommend an applicant for a job; to recommend a book.
to represent or urge as advisable or expedient: to recommend caution.
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.
to make desirable or attractive: a plan that has very little to recommend it.
late 14c., "praise, present as worthy," from Medieval Latin recommendare, from Latin re-, here probably an intensive prefix, or else from a sense now obscure (see re-), + commendare "commit to one's care, commend" (see commend). Meaning "advise as to action, urge (that something be done)" is from 1746. Related: Recommended; recommending.
