recognize

verb

rec·​og·​nize ˈre-kig-ˌnīz 

-kəg-

recognized; recognizing

transitive verb

1

: to acknowledge formally: such as

a

: to admit as being lord or sovereign

b

: to admit as being of a particular status

c

: to admit as being one entitled to be heard : give the floor to

d

: to acknowledge the de facto existence or the independence of

2

: to acknowledge or take notice of in some definite way: such as

a

: to acknowledge with a show of appreciation

recognize an act of bravery with the award of a medal

b

: to acknowledge acquaintance with

recognize a neighbor with a nod

3

a

: to perceive to be something or someone previously known

recognized the word

b

: to perceive clearly : realize

recognizability

ˌre-kig-ˌnī-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

-kəg-

noun

recognizable

ˈre-kəg-ˌnī-zə-bəl 

-kig-

adjective

recognizably

ˈre-kəg-ˌnī-zə-blē 

-kig-

adverb

recognizer noun

Synonyms

• appreciate
• apprehend
• assimilate
• behold
• catch
• catch on (to)
• cognize
• compass
• comprehend
• conceive
• cotton (to or on to)
• decipher
• decode
• dig
• discern
• get
• grasp
• grok
• intuit
• know
• make
• make out
• perceive
• register
• savvy
• see
• seize
• sense
• tumble (to)
• twig
• understand

Examples of recognize in a Sentence

I didn't recognize you at first with your new haircut.

I can always recognize him from far away by the way he walks.

They recognized the odor at once.

The U.S. government has now recognized the newly formed country.

They refused to recognize the treaty.

Recent Examples on the Web

As the plague wipes out large swathes of the population, Verney mourns the loss of human relationships and creativity, but also recognizes that nature is full of its own unique bonds, rhythms, and beauty. —Ilana Masad, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2024

As is sometimes the case with miscarriages, her body didn’t recognize it right away; her gestational sac was still growing, but there was no longer a developing fetus inside it. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024

The festival has two other special distinction awards – the Crystal Nymph and the Honorary Golden Nymph – which recognize outstanding personalities in the international television and entertainment industry. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024

While Nichols’ racist redlining (boosted by Star founder William Rockhill Nelson) led to his name being stripped away from the adjacent fountain that is Kansas City’s most grand and recognized, we’re still left to reconcile the fact that this distinguishing flourish of ours is part of his legacy. —Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2024

The lack of diversity in finance has long been recognized as a problem but change is slow even as authorities around the world seek to close the gender pay gap. —Nicholas Comfort, Fortune Europe, 26 Apr. 2024

Aspirin might help the body better recognize cancer cells, the researchers concluded. —Maggie O'Neill, Health, 25 Apr. 2024

An important first step is to help someone recognize why making a change is important. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024

Reggaetón, a genre now famously recognized for its roots in Puerto Rico, was about to explode into a transnational phenomenon. —Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

modification of Anglo-French reconois-, stem of reconoistre, from Latin recognoscere, from re- + cognoscere to know — more at cognition

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

recognize

verb

rec·​og·​nize ˈrek-ig-ˌnīz 

ˈrek-əg-

recognized; recognizing

1

: to be willing to admit : acknowledge

recognized my own faults

2

: to admit as qualified to be heard at a meeting

recognizes the delegate from Arkansas

3

: to grant diplomatic recognition to

recognized the new government

4

: to take approving notice of

recognize an act of bravery with a medal

5

: to show one is acquainted with

recognize someone with a nod

6

: to know and remember upon seeing

I didn't recognize you in that new hairdo

recognizability

ˌrek-ig-ˌnī-zə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

ˌrek-əg-

noun

recognizable

ˈrek-əg-ˌnī-ze-bəl 

ˈrek-ig-

adjective

recognizably

-ˌnī-zə-blē 

adverb

Etymology

derived from early French reconoistre "to recognize," from Latin recognoscere (same meaning), from re- "again" and cognoscere "to know" — related to connoisseur, incognito

Legal Definition

recognize

transitive verb

rec·​og·​nize

recognized; recognizing

1

: to acknowledge formally: as

a

: to admit as being of a particular status

recognize a precedent

recognize a union

specifically : to acknowledge (as a right, cause of action, or defense) as valid

b

: to admit as being one entitled to be heard : give the floor to

c

: to acknowledge the de facto existence or the independence of

refused to recognize the new government

2

: to account for as real, received, or incurred and treat and record appropriately

specifically : to account for (a gain, loss, expense, or income) on current accounting or tax records

recognized the gain when she included it as income on her tax return

compare realize