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recognize Meaning & Definition

/ˈɹɛk.ɪɡ.naɪz/

What Does Recognize Mean?

Recognize is a verb that means To match (something or someone which one currently perceives) to a memory of some previous encounter with the same person or thing. It is also used to mean To acknowledge the existence or legality of; to treat as valid or worthy of consideration.

Recognize in Brief

Part of speechverb
Pronunciation//ˈɹɛk.ɪɡ.naɪz//
Syllables1
Synonymsdiscern, acknowledge and realize
Verb formsrecognizes, recognizing, recognized

Recognize Definition (Verb)

  1. To match (something or someone which one currently perceives) to a memory of some previous encounter with the same person or thing.

    I recognized his face immediately, although his voice was different.

  2. To acknowledge the existence or legality of; to treat as valid or worthy of consideration.

    The US and a number of EU countries are expected to recognize Kosovo on Monday.

  3. To acknowledge or consider (as being a certain thing or having a certain quality or property).

    Slavery is widely recognized as immoral.

  4. To realize or discover the nature of something; apprehend quality in.
  5. To show formal appreciation of, as with an award, commendation etc.

    His services were recognized in a testimonial.

  6. To review; to examine again.
  7. To reconnoiter.
  8. To have the property to bind to specific antigens.

Verb

  1. to cognize again

Verb

  1. (or with clause) To acknowledge or consider (as being a certain thing or having a certain quality or property).

    I recognize that my behaviour has been unacceptable.

Synonyms of Recognize

Recognize synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Recognize

No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.

Recognize in a Sentence

I recognized his face immediately, although his voice was different.

The US and a number of EU countries are expected to recognize Kosovo on Monday.

Slavery is widely recognized as immoral.

I recognize that my behaviour has been unacceptable.

His services were recognized in a testimonial.

The soldier was recognized in dispatches.

I recognised his face immediately.

Word Forms & Grammar

recognize (third-person singular simple present recognizes, present participle recognizing, simple past and past participle recognized)

Words That Rhyme With Recognize

Origin of Recognize

Origin 1: Borrowed from Middle French reconoistre, from Old French reconoistre, from Latin recognoscere, first attested in the 16th century. Displaced native English acknow (“to recognize, perceive as”), compare German erkennen and Swedish erkänna. Latin had rare recognizare (“to try by jury”).

Origin 2: From re- + cognize.

How Do You Say Recognize?

The standard pronunciation of recognize is //ˈɹɛk.ɪɡ.naɪz//, spoken in 1 syllable.

Recognize: Your Questions Answered

What part of speech is recognize?

Recognize is a verb.

What is another word for recognize?

Words with a similar meaning to recognize include discern, acknowledge and realize. See the full list of recognize synonyms and antonyms.

What is the past tense of recognize?

The past tense of recognize is recognized. The present participle is recognizing.

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