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 of recognize

• understand
• know
• decipher
• see
• comprehend
• appreciate
• grasp
• realize

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

Their hard work is recognized at the Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls. —Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 21 Apr. 2026

Winners of the 2026 Webby Awards have been announced — and Variety is taking home a trophy at the 30th annual awards program recognizing the best of the internet. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026

Boyer, a Spring, Texas native, has already set a freshman record for home runs and has been recognized as the Big 12’s freshman of the week three times. —Pj Green april 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026

At the time, medical and child abuse experts saw that triad of injuries as tell-tale signs of child abuse, but now, experts recognize that many other situations can also cause those injuries, his attorneys wrote in a petition for post-conviction relief. —Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for recognize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

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