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View synonyms for

recognize

[ rek-uhg-nahyz ]

verb (used with object)

recognized, recognizing.
  1. to identify as something or someone previously seen, known, etc.:

    He had changed so much that one could scarcely recognize him.

  2. to identify from knowledge of appearance or characteristics:

    I recognized him from the description.

    They recognized him as a fraud.

  3. to perceive as existing or true; realize:

    to be the first to recognize a fact.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

  4. to acknowledge as the person entitled to speak at a particular time:

    The Speaker recognized the congressman from Maine.

  5. to acknowledge formally as entitled to treatment as a political unit:

    The United States promptly recognized Israel.

  6. 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.

  7. to acknowledge or treat as valid:

    to recognize a claim.

  8. to acknowledge acquaintance with, as by a greeting, handshake, etc.
  9. to show appreciation of (achievement, service, merit, etc.), as by some reward, public honor, or the like.
  10. Law. to acknowledge (an illegitimate child) as one's own.
  11. 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.


recognize

/ ˈɛəɡˌԲɪ /

verb

  1. 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
  2. to accept or be aware of (a fact, duty, problem, etc)

    to recognize necessity

  3. to give formal acknowledgment of the status or legality of (a government, an accredited representative, etc)
  4. to grant (a person) the right to speak in a deliberative body, debate, etc
  5. to give a token of thanks for (a service rendered, etc)
  6. to make formal acknowledgment of (a claim, etc)
  7. to show approval or appreciation of (something good or pleasing)
  8. to acknowledge or greet (a person), as when meeting by chance
  9. intr to enter into a recognizance
“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
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ𳦴DzˌԾ, adjective
  • ˌ𳦴DzˌԾˈٲ, noun
  • ˈ𳦴DzˌԾ, adverb
  • ˈ𳦴DzˌԾ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ·Dz·Ծ·· [rek, -, uh, g-nahy-z, uh, -b, uh, l, rek-, uh, g-, nahy, -], adjective
  • o·Ծa·i·ٲ noun
  • o·Ծa· adverb
  • o·Ծe noun
  • ԴDz·o·Ծ adjective
  • ·o·Ծ verb (used with object) prerecognized prerecognizing
  • ܲȴ-o·Ծ adjective
  • ܲ·o·Ծa· adjective
  • un·o·Ծa· adverb
  • ܲ·o·Ծ adjective
  • ܲ·o·ԾiԲ adjective
  • ɱ-o·Ծ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of recognize1

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 𳦴Dzō, equivalent to re- re- ( def ) + Dzō “t know 1( def ) ”; cognition ( def )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of recognize1

C15: from Latin recognoscere to know again, from re- + cognoscere to know, ascertain
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

When Lam picked her up after her first day, he said, he didn’t recognize her right away because her head was covered with dust.

From

When he issued that policy, former Attorney General Garland said, “These regulations recognize the crucial role that a free and independent press plays in our democracy.”

From

“If you look at it realistically, it’s a victory just having a team,” said Voelkel, who last month was recognized by the CIF with a Model Coach Award.

From

Despite being a two-time champion and widely recognized as an “alpha,” first-year head coach Lynne Roberts says Plum’s leadership style is free of arrogance or ego, driven solely by her sheer competitiveness.

From

However, as I discovered in dealing with my father’s illness and estate, these general documents are not always recognized by the very institutions they were designed for.

From

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recognizancerecognizee