recognize
- 01 A2 Elementary
to know who someone is or what something is because you have seen or heard them before.
to identify a person or thing from previous encounter or knowledge. Transitive — requires a direct object.
Simple“I didn't recognize him at first because he had grown a beard.”
In context“Even after twenty years apart, she could still recognize his distinctive laugh from across a crowded room.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to officially accept that something is real, true, or legal.
to acknowledge the existence, validity, or legality of an entity or claim.
Simple“The government does not recognize the new passports issued by that country.”
In context“The international community was slow to recognize the sovereignty of the breakaway republic despite its established borders.”
SynonymsAntonymsrejectdisavow - 03 B1 Intermediate
to give someone praise or an award for the good work they have done.
to show formal appreciation or provide public credit for an achievement or service.
Simple“The company recognized her long service with a special gold watch.”
In context“The charity gala was organized specifically to recognize the tireless efforts of the volunteers who worked through the crisis.”
- 04 B1 Intermediate
to understand or notice a fact or a situation.
to apprehend or realize the nature or quality of a situation or fact.
Simple“They finally recognized that the old system was no longer working.”
In context“Economists now recognize that the initial projections failed to account for the rapid shift in consumer behavior.”
Usage recognizing their importance · clearly recognise · easily recognise
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”).
From re- + cognize.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.