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

Data from the hottest matches at the 2014 World Cup — classified using wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT), a measure combining temperature, humidity, wind and solar radiation to estimate heat stress on the body — pointed in the same direction. — Alan McCall, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Investigators ultimately classified the encounter as non-threatening because the object never approached sensitive assets. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026

Investors use market cap as a way to classify companies into categories. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 10 July 2026

In the most recent legislative session, Holscher introduced a bill to move marijuana from a Schedule I to Schedule III drug, classifying it among less addictive and harmful drugs. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

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
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi

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