classify

verb

clas·​si·​fy ˈkla-sə-ˌfī 

classified; classifying

transitive verb

1

: to arrange in classes (see class entry 1 sense 3)

classifying books according to subject matter

2

: to consider (someone or something) as belonging to a particular group

The movie is classified as a comedy.

The vehicle is classified as a truck.

classifiable

ˌkla-sə-ˈfī-ə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms of classify

• rank
• distinguish
• categorize
• relegate
• group
• distribute
• type
• grade
• identify
• sort
• separate

Examples of classify in a Sentence

Students will be learning about the ways scientists classify animals.

The online system can classify books by subject.

Recent Examples on the Web

With the white-collar job market frozen, and millions of Gen Zers classified as NEETs—not in education, training, or employment—seasonal gigs could be the unexpected back door into longer-term work. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2025

Recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notices have classified some recalls—such as the spring roll recall across 22 states over undeclared shrimp—as Class I. —Associate News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025

In technology, computers approximate this ability through cameras, sensors, and algorithms that interpret scenes, classify patterns, and extract details. —Maria Bolevich, Interesting Engineering, 28 Nov. 2025

This approach builds hundreds of decision trees to classify the data and uncover hidden biological patterns. —Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 27 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably in part a back-formation from classification, in part from class entry 1 + -ify

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for classify

• abscissae
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi
• certify

Kids Definition

classify

verb

clas·​si·​fy ˈklas-ə-ˌfī 

classified; classifying

: to arrange in or assign to classes

classify books by subjects

classifiable

-ˌfī-ə-bəl 

adjective

classifier

-ˌfī(-ə)r

noun

Medical Definition

classify

transitive verb

clas·​si·​fy ˈklas-ə-ˌfī 

classified; classifying

: to arrange in classes that have systematic relations usually founded on common properties

how would you classify these animals