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

Journalists are protected under international law CPJ said obituaries for Hamas and other militants released after the October 2025 ceasefire deal identified fighters who the rights group had previously classified as journalists. — Joseph Krauss, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Seventeen state positions classified as government operations consultants and 11 more as management consultants followed, most from the same field offices. — Sharmila Venkatasubban, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

The biggest increases, however, came on the least valuable land — classified as swamp, ledge or scrubland — which saw its value increase by 2,325%. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026

However, Gonzo never was classified as a specific animal, and the joke turned into a running gag. — Niranjana Rajalakshmi, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 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