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Recognize - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Recognize means to identify someone or something as familiar or known, often from past experience. It can also mean to acknowledge the importance or validity of something.

recognize

/ˈrɛkəɡˌnaɪz/ /ˈrɛkəɡnaɪz/

Definition:

To identify someone or something previously seen, known, or encountered.

Synonyms:

acknowledge, identify, notice, discern

Part of Speech:

verb

Antonyms:

ignore, overlook

Common Collocations:

recognize a face, recognize a voice, recognize an opportunity

Derivatives:

recognizable, recognition

Usage Tips:

Use "recognize" when recalling someone or something from memory or acknowledging their existence or importance.

Common Phrases:

recognize the signs, recognize by sight, beyond recognition

Etymology:

From Latin "recognoscere," meaning "to know again" or "recall to mind."

Examples:

  • 1. She didn’t recognize him after ten years.
  • 2. Can you recognize this song from the first few notes?
  • 3. The teacher quickly recognized the student’s talent in math.
  • 4. I barely recognized my hometown due to all the changes.

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