recognize
Americanverb (used with object)
-
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.
- Synonyms:
- concede, grant, understand, appreciate, acknowledge
-
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.
verb
-
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)
-
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) to enter into a recognizance
Other Word Forms
- nonrecognized adjective
- prerecognize verb (used with object)
- quasi-recognized adjective
- recognizability noun
- recognizable adjective
- recognizably adverb
- recognizer noun
- unrecognizable adjective
- unrecognizably adverb
- unrecognized adjective
- unrecognizing adjective
- well-recognized adjective
Etymology
Origin of recognize
First recorded in 1425–75; recogn(ition) ( def. ) + -ize ( def. ); replacing late Middle English racunnysen, recognisen, from Old French reconuiss-, stem of reconuistre, from Latin recognōscere, equivalent to re- re- ( def. ) + cognōscere “to know 1 ( def. ) ”; cognition ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It’s a zero-sum game for filmmakers and viewers alike, who would both do well to recognize the inherent value in surprise.
From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026
In photographs from that week, I barely recognize the woman staring back at me.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
“It’s funny, ‘cause I’ve had people recognize me, but majority of the time, their mindsets are on real estate.”
From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026
Some strands include binders that recognize cancer markers, while another carries a toxic drug.
From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026
It took a second for him to recognize me.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
