First Known Use: circa 1532
Dictionary
recognize
verb rec·og·nize \ˈre-kig-ˌnīz, -kəg-\
: to know and remember (someone or something) because of previous knowledge or experience
: to accept or be aware that (something) is true or exists
: to accept and approve of (something) as having legal or official authority
rec·og·nizedrec·og·niz·ing
Full Definition of RECOGNIZE
transitive verb
1
: to acknowledge formally: 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: 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
— rec·og·niz·abil·i·ty \ˌre-kig-ˌnī-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē, -kəg-\ noun
— rec·og·niz·able \ˈre-kəg-ˌnī-zə-bəl, -kig-\ adjective
— rec·og·niz·ably \-blē\ adverb
— rec·og·niz·er noun
See recognize defined for English-language learners
See recognize defined for kids
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Origin of RECOGNIZE
modification of Anglo-French reconois-, stem of reconoistre, from Latin recognoscere, from re- + cognoscere to know — more at cognition
Related to RECOGNIZE
- Synonyms
- appreciate, apprehend, assimilate, behold, catch, catch on (to), cognize, compass, conceive, cotton (to or on to), decipher, decode, dig, discern, get, grasp, grok, intuit, know, make, make out, perceive, comprehend, register, savvy, see, seize, sense, tumble (to), twig, understand
- Antonyms
- miss
RECOGNIZABLE Defined for Kids
recognize
verb rec·og·nize \ˈre-kig-ˌnīz\
rec·og·nizedrec·og·niz·ing
Definition of RECOGNIZE for Kids
1
: to know and remember upon seeing <I recognized an old friend.>
2
: to be willing to accept <I recognized my own faults.>
3
: to take approving notice of <They recognized his bravery with a medal.>
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