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recognize definition

rec·og·nize (rek′əg nīz′)

transitive verb recognized -·nized′, recognizing -·niz′·ing

  1. to be aware of as something or someone known before, or as the same as that known to recognize an old friend after many years
  2. to know by some detail, as of appearance; identify to recognize a butterfly by its coloring
  3. to be aware of the significance of to recognize symptoms
  4. to acknowledge the existence, validity, authority, or genuineness of to recognize a claim
  5. to accept as a fact; admit; accept to recognize defeat
  6. to acknowledge as worthy of appreciation or approval to recognize devotion
  7. to acknowledge the legal standing of (a government, state, etc.) by some formal action, as by entering into diplomatic relations
  8. to show acquaintance with (a person) by greeting
  9. ☆ to acknowledge as having the right to speak, as in a meeting

Etymology: altered (infl. by recognizance) < extended stem of OFr reconoistre: see recognizance

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

recognize Synonyms

recognize

v.

  1. To know again

    identify, recollect, know, recall, remember, place, be familiar, make out, distinguish, verify, sight, diagnose, espy, descry, see, perceive, realize, understand, admit knowledge of, notice; see also know 1.

  2. To acknowledge

    appreciate, realize, concede, accept; see acknowledge 2, admit 3.

  3. To acknowledge the legality of a government

    exchange diplomatic representatives, have diplomatic relations with, sanction, approve, extend formal recognition to, extend de jure recognition to, extend de facto recognition to; see also acknowledge 2, approve 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

recognize Usage Examples

Object

  • importance: Last updated: January 5, 2004 CSA Czech Airlines recognizes the importance of protecting your personal information.

Used with why or when

  • who: Maria would never recognize who they were, and she would collapse fainting into his manly arms.

Preposition: as

  • leader: He has been widely recognized as a thought leader.

Modifying Another Word

  • internationally: Company description: Vancouver Film School offers internationally recognized, one-year training.. .

Used with why or when

  • where: But priesthood is another thing, and a thing sufficiently distinct to be easily recognized where it is claimed or in fact exists.

Preposition: by

  • canada: Number of complaints quot people are recognized by canada.
recognize usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

recognize quotes

If you recognize anyone, it does not mean that you like him.We all, for instance, recognize the honourable Member for Ebbw Vale.

-Churchill, Lord Randolph Henry Spencer

You mentioned yournameasif Ishould recogniseit, but I assure you that, beyond the obvious facts that you are a bachelor, a solicitor, a Freemason, and an asthmatic, I know nothing whatever about you.

-Doyle, SirArthur Conan

One's prime is elusive.You little girls, when you grow up, must be onthealertto recognise your primeat whatever time of your life it may occur.You must live it to the full.

-Spark, Dame Muriel Sarah ne¤  e  Camberg

recognize quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"recognize." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/recognize>

APA Style

recognize. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/recognize

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