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

• appreciate
• apprehend
• assimilate
• behold
• catch
• catch on (to)
• cognize
• compass
• comprehend
• conceive
• cotton (to or on to)
• decipher
• decode
• dig
• discern
• get
• grasp
• grok
• intuit
• know
• make
• make out
• perceive
• register
• savvy
• see
• seize
• sense
• tumble (to)
• twig
• understand

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

The annual honor recognizes the player who best represents the ideals of sportsmanship on the court. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024

This year, a new suite of AI Apps and Experience categories recognize the innovation and continued impact of AI across tech, pop culture, advertising, art, public service and activism. —Paul Grein, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2024

The Webby Awards have announced nominations for the 2024 ceremony, recognizing excellence in internet content. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 2 Apr. 2024

In addition, the Webby Podcast Company of the Year will recognize the organization with the most overall nominations and wins across the podcast categories. —Kimberly Nordyke, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024

In the memo, the campaign recognized Spartz's lead, but said likely Republican voters who are aware of both Goodrich and Spartz show more support for Goodrich's campaign. —Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Apr. 2024

The Pink Foundation founder, Bob Faber, recognizing the disparities in education in other rural communities worldwide, is dedicated to empowering children from underserved communities and equipping them with the necessary tools for success, with a focus on children in Bulgaria. —Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024

In a tweet posted Sunday, the Mall division of the National Park Service recognized the uncommon nature of the this year’s flowering. —Martin Weil, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024

Betting everything on the stock market over the past two decades would have been the best way to go, in hindsight, but most investors didn't recognize this in advance and even fewer of them could have stomached the considerable gyrations along the way. —The Arizona Republic, 31 Mar. 2024

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

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