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classify

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈkɫæsəˌfaɪ// UK //klˈæsɪfˌaɪ// clas·si·fy General-service

v. to put things into groups based on how they are similar. You use this when you want to organize information or objects so they are easier to understand.

v. to arrange or assign things into categories based on shared characteristics. Transitive — requires a direct object.


SIMPLE

Scientists classify animals into different groups.

CONTEXTUAL

The library staff must classify every new book by its subject before placing it on the shelves.

COMPLEX

While it is easy to classify simple organisms, biologists often struggle with species that exhibit traits belonging to multiple distinct categories, leading to frequent taxonomic revisions.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From French classifier. By surface analysis, class + -ify.

Usage

The verb is transitive and often takes the preposition 'as' when identifying the specific category.

Pitfall

classify into a groupclassify as a groupWhile you can 'classify things into groups', when identifying the category itself, use 'as' (e.g., 'classify it as a mammal').

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