identify
- 01 A2 Elementary
to recognize someone or something and say who or what they are.
to establish the identity of a person or object through observation or evidence.
Simple“The witness was able to identify the thief from a series of photos.”
In context“Forensic experts worked for weeks to identify the remains found at the historical site using advanced DNA sequencing techniques.”
UsageOften used with a direct object.
SynonymsAntonymsmisidentifyignore - 02 B1 Intermediate
to find a problem, a reason, or a specific thing in a group.
to pinpoint or determine the nature of something, such as a cause or a specific instance within a data set.
Simple“The report identifies three main reasons why the project failed.”
In context“The research team sought to identify the specific gene responsible for the plant's resistance to drought.”
UsageCommon in academic and technical writing when discussing causes or variables.
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
to feel that you understand or share the same feelings as someone else.
to experience a strong psychological affinity or sense of shared experience with another person or a fictional character.
Simple“Many readers identify with the main character because she is very honest.”
In context“The audience struggled to identify with the protagonist, whose motivations remained opaque and unsympathetic throughout the play.”
UsageUsually takes the preposition 'with'.
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
to say that you belong to a particular group or have a certain identity.
to assert one's membership in a social, cultural, or gender category.
Simple“She identifies as a writer even though she has a different day job.”
In context“The survey asked participants how they identify in terms of their cultural heritage and linguistic background.”
UsageUsually takes the preposition 'as'.
Usage identify people · identify specific · identified three
From French identifier, from Medieval Latin identicus + Latin faciō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.