identify

verb

iden·​ti·​fy ī-ˈden-tə-ˌfī How to pronounce identify (audio)
ə-
identified; identifying; identifies

transitive verb

1
a
: to perceive or state the identity of (someone or something)
"It's the young man!" I thought, feeling my heart shoot as I identified him.Charlies Dickens
Mr. Mace identified the phial handed him by Counsel as that sold by him to "Mr. Inglethorp."Agatha Christie
Hitters say the spitball is easily identified because, while it has the speed of a fastball, it scarcely rotates.Ron Fimrite
b(1)
: to ascertain the identity of (someone or something that is unfamiliar or unknown)
He was able to quickly identify the problem.
Police have identified a person of interest.
Dr. McGovern explains that "identifying the cause of the disease is a breakthrough. …"The Chronicle of the Horse
(2)
: to determine the taxonomic position or category of (a biological specimen)
We were able to identify the plant as belonging to the nightshade family.
2
a
: to conceive as united (as in spirit, outlook, or principle)
These groups are identified with conservation.
b
: to cause to be or become identical
identified her interests with theirs
Sometimes people identify success with money, but for me it's giving of yourself.Lorna E. Barnes
In some strange way the boat became identified with himself, and just as it would have been useless for him to get up and steer the boat, so was it useless for him to struggle any longer with the irresistible force of his own feelings.Virginia Woolf

intransitive verb

1
: to feel a sense of unity (as of interests, purpose, or effect) and close emotional association : to engage in psychological identification
Many readers identify with the hero of a novel.
I could identify with the anxiety she was experiencing.
2
: to have or assert an identity of a specified kind
Of the high school students who participated, 77% identified as female, 20% identified as male, 2% identified as nonbinary …Elizabeth Beyer
3
archaic : to be or become the same
… new channels of communication will be opened between the States, the lines of separation will disappear, their interests will be identified, and their union cemented by new and indissoluble bonds.Thomas Jefferson

Examples of identify in a Sentence

She identified the dog as her lost pet. He was able to correctly identify the mushroom. The witness positively identified the suspect in the crime. The corpse was identified on the basis of dental records. They could not identify the source of the quotation. They had no difficulty in identifying the problem. We began by identifying what we needed for the job. We need to identify the causes of unemployment.
Recent Examples on the Web My wife identified the doctor in the United States best qualified to operate on this rare and deadly threat. David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024 But the department identified them as 15-year-old and 17-year-old boys in a statement announcing their arrests. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2024 Early on, Geter identified the wellness benefits of remote work for Black women. Ebony Flake, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024 Two witnesses, including one who was with Grace the night of the shooting, identified Johnson as one of the assailants. The Enquirer, 21 Mar. 2024 That’s not an easy trait to identify because every candidate will profess a willingness to listen and learn, which is why someone with ties to the region lowers the risk. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 Both men also were identified by the Washington Post as participating in a rendition of the National Anthem from the D.C. jail that was captured in a video posted online last year. USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024 On Tuesday, the deceased shooter was identified as 20-year-old Nathan Scott, according to ABC 7. Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024 Mesa police said the person who died in the fire still has not been identified. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 9 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'identify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1746, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of identify was in 1746

Dictionary Entries Near identify

Cite this Entry

“Identify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/identify. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

identify

verb
iden·​ti·​fy ī-ˈdent-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce identify (audio)
ə-ˈdent-
identified; identifying
1
: to think of as united (as in spirit or principle)
groups identified with conservation
2
: to find out or show the identity of
identified the dog as her lost pet
3
: to think of oneself as having the same problems and feelings as someone else
identify with a character in a story
identifiable adjective
identifiably adverb
identifier
-ˌfī(-ə)r
noun

Medical Definition

identify

verb
iden·​ti·​fy ī-ˈdent-ə-ˌfī, ə- How to pronounce identify (audio)
identified; identifying

transitive verb

: to determine the taxonomic position of (a biological specimen)

intransitive verb

: to undergo or experience psychological identification
identify with the hero of a novel

Legal Definition

identify

transitive verb
iden·​ti·​fy
identified; identifying
1
: to consider as united or associated (as in interests or principles)
can ask leading questions of a witness who is identified with an adverse party
2
: to establish the identity of
identifying the suspect
3
: to specify or designate (goods) as the object of a contract
used in the phrase identify to the contract
the disputed beans were goods identified to the contract

Note: Under the Uniform Commercial Code, once goods are identified to a contract, the buyer has a special property interest and an insurable interest in the goods. This gives the buyer the right to seek damages and other relief. This identification can be done at any time and in any manner agreed to by the parties or as otherwise specified in the U.C.C.

identifiable adjective
identification noun

More from Merriam-Webster on identify

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