# identify

/aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪ/ (US) · /aɪdˈɛntɪfˌaɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/identify
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to recognize or name

verb · CEFR A2

to recognize someone or something and say who or what they are.

For teachers: to establish the identity of a person or object through observation or evidence.

- The witness was able to identify the thief from a series of photos.
- Forensic experts worked for weeks to identify the remains found at the historical site using advanced DNA sequencing techniques.

Usage: Often used with a direct object.

### 2. to find or notice

verb · CEFR B1 · Academic

to find a problem, a reason, or a specific thing in a group.

For teachers: to pinpoint or determine the nature of something, such as a cause or a specific instance within a data set.

- The report identifies three main reasons why the project failed.
- The research team sought to identify the specific gene responsible for the plant's resistance to drought.

Usage: Common in academic and technical writing when discussing causes or variables.

### 3. to feel a connection

verb · CEFR B2

to feel that you understand or share the same feelings as someone else.

For teachers: to experience a strong psychological affinity or sense of shared experience with another person or a fictional character.

- Many readers identify with the main character because she is very honest.
- The audience struggled to identify with the protagonist, whose motivations remained opaque and unsympathetic throughout the play.

Usage: Usually takes the preposition 'with'.

### 4. to describe oneself

verb · CEFR B2

to say that you belong to a particular group or have a certain identity.

For teachers: to assert one's membership in a social, cultural, or gender category.

- She identifies as a writer even though she has a different day job.
- The survey asked participants how they identify in terms of their cultural heritage and linguistic background.

Usage: Usually takes the preposition 'as'.

## Examples

- The scientist needs to identify the type of bird.
- Witnesses were asked to identify the suspect from a series of photographs shown by the police.
- In the final report, the researchers were able to identify several key factors that contributed to the sudden decline of the local bee population.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.