Recognize

/ˈɹɛk.əɡ.naɪz/ · verb

Meaning

(transitive) To match (something or someone which one currently perceives) to a memory of some previous encounter with the same person or thing..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To match (something or someone which one currently perceives) to a memory of some previous encounter with the same person or thing.
2. (transitive) To acknowledge the existence or legality of; to treat as valid or worthy of consideration.
3. (transitive, or with clause) To acknowledge or consider (as being a certain thing or having a certain quality or property).
4. (transitive) To realize or discover the nature of something; apprehend quality in.
5. (transitive) To show formal appreciation of, as with an award, commendation etc.
6. (obsolete) To review; to examine again.
7. (obsolete) To reconnoiter.
8. (immunology) To have the property to bind to specific antigens.

Example Sentences

I recognized his face immediately, although his voice was different.

He looked in vain into the stalls for the butcher who had sold fresh meat twice a week, on market days, and he felt a genuine thrill of pleasure when he recognized the red bandana turban of old Aunt Lyddy, the ancient negro woman who had sold him gingerbread and fried fish, and told him weird tales of witchcraft and conjuration, in the old days when, as an idle boy, he had loafed about the market-house.

Seeing comes before words. The child looks and recognizes before it can speak.

The US and a number of EU countries are expected to recognize Kosovo on Monday.

Slavery is widely recognized as immoral.

I recognize that my behaviour has been unacceptable.

“The United States government maintains relationships with unofficial partners around the world, and Taiwan is no exception. Our two democracies share common values of individual freedom, the rule of law, and a respect for human dignity. Today’s statement recognizes that the US-Taiwan relationship need not, and should not, be shackled by self-imposed restrictions of our permanent bureaucracy,” Pompeo wrote.

In plants, the ability to recognize self from nonself plays an important role in fertilization, because self-fertilization will result in less diverse offspring than fertilization with pollen from another individual.

Synonyms for recognize

Antonyms for recognize

Related Words

Word Forms

• recognizes
• recognizing
• recognized
• recognise
• re-cognize

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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