Dictionary
identify
verb iden·ti·fy \ī-ˈden-tə-ˌfī, ə-\
: to know and say who someone is or what something is
: to find out who someone is or what something is
: to show who someone is or what something is
iden·ti·fiediden·ti·fy·ing
Full Definition of IDENTIFY
transitive verb
1
a : to cause to be or become identical b : to conceive as united (as in spirit, outlook, or principle) <groups that are identified with conservation>
2
a : to establish the identity of b : to determine the taxonomic position of (a biological specimen)
intransitive verb
1
: to be or become the same
2
: to practice psychological identification <identify with the hero of a novel>
— iden·ti·fi·able \-ˌden-tə-ˈfī-ə-bəl\ adjective
— iden·ti·fi·ably \-blē\ adverb
See identify defined for English-language learners
See identify defined for kids
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First Known Use of IDENTIFY
1644
Related to IDENTIFY
- Synonyms
- distinguish, finger, ID, pinpoint, single (out), put one's finger on
IDENTIFIABLE Defined for Kids
identify
verb iden·ti·fy \ī-ˈden-tə-ˌfī\
iden·ti·fiediden·ti·fy·ing
Definition of IDENTIFY for Kids
1
: to find out or show the identity of <… they ate … a mystery casserole that I could not identify. — Sharon Creech, Walk Two Moons>
2
: to feel empathy for <I identified with her problem.>
3
: to think of as joined or associated with <These groups are identified with conservation.>
Medical Dictionary
identify
verb iden·ti·fy \ī-ˈdent-ə-ˌfī, ə-\
iden·ti·fiediden·ti·fy·ing
Medical Definition of IDENTIFY
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>
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