recognize

rec·og·nize

transitive verb \ˈre-kig-ˌnīz, -kəg-\

rec·og·nizedrec·og·niz·ing

Definition of RECOGNIZE

1

: to acknowledge formally: 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: 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

— rec·og·niz·abil·i·ty \ˌre-kig-ˌnī-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē, -kəg-\ noun

— rec·og·niz·able \ˈre-kəg-ˌnī-zə-bəl, -kig-\ adjective

— rec·og·niz·ably \-blē\ adverb

— rec·og·niz·er noun

Examples of RECOGNIZE

1. I didn't recognize you at first with your new haircut.
2. I can always recognize him from far away by the way he walks.
3. They recognized the odor at once.
4. The U.S. government has now recognized the newly formed country.
5. They refused to recognize the treaty.

Origin of RECOGNIZE

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

First Known Use: circa 1532

Related to RECOGNIZE

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

miss

Related Words

absorb, digest, take in; realize; fathom, penetrate, pierce

Near Antonyms

misapprehend, misconceive, misconstrue, misinterpret, misperceive, misread, mistake, misunderstand