- 1to know who somebody is or what something is when you see, hear or experience them/it, because you have seen, heard, etc. them/it before recognize somebody/something I recognized him as soon as he entered the room. Do you recognize this tune? recognize somebody/something by/from something I recognized her by her red hair. Thesaurusidentify
- know
- recognize
- name
- make somebody/something out
- identify to be able to say who or what someone or something is:He was able to identify his attacker.
- know to be able to say who or what something is when you see or hear it because you have seen or heard it before Know is used especially to talk about sounds that seem familiar and when someone recognizes the quality or opportunity that someone or something represents:I couldn't see who was speaking, but I knew the voice. She knows a bargain when she sees one.
- recognize to know who someone is or what something is when you see or hear them/it, because you have seen or heard them/it before:I recognized him as soon as he came into the room.
- name to say the name of someone or something in order to show that you know who/what they are:The victim has not yet been named in the newspapers.
- make somebody/something out to manage to see or hear someone or something that is not very clear:I could just make out a figure in the darkness.
- to identify/know/recognize somebody/something by something
- to identify/recognize/name somebody/something as somebody/something
- to identify/know/recognize/make out who/what/how…
- to easily/barely/just identify/recognize/make out somebody/something
- 2to admit or to be aware that something exists or is true synonym acknowledge recognize something They recognized the need to take the problem seriously. recognize something as something Drugs were not recognized as a problem then. recognize how, what, etc. … Nobody recognized how urgent the situation was. recognize that… We recognized that the task was not straightforward. it is recognized that… It was recognized that this solution could only be temporary. recognize somebody/something to be/have something Drugs were not recognized to be a problem then. Thesaurusadmit
- acknowledge
- recognize
- concede
- confess
- admit to agree, often unwillingly, that something is true:It was a stupid thing to do, I admit.
- acknowledge (somewhat formal) to accept that something exists, is true, or has happened:She refuses to acknowledge the need for reform.
- recognize to admit or be aware that something exists or is true:They recognized the need to take the problem seriously.
- concede (somewhat formal) to admit, often unwillingly, that something is true or logical:He was forced to concede that there might be difficulties.
- When someone admits something, they are usually agreeing that something that is generally considered bad or wrong is true or has happened, especially when it relates to their own actions. When someone concedes something, they are usually accepting, unwillingly, that a particular fact or statement is true or logical.
- confess (somewhat formal) to admit something that you feel ashamed or embarrassed about:She was reluctant to confess her ignorance.
- to admit/acknowledge/recognize/concede/confess that ..
- to admit/confess to something
- to admit/concede/confess something to somebody
- to admit/acknowledge/recognize the truth
- to admit/confess your mistakes/ignorance
- 3to accept and approve of someone or something officially recognize somebody/something (as something) recognized qualifications Most countries have refused to recognize the new regime. be recognized to be/have something He is recognized to be their natural leader.
- 4be recognized (as something) to be thought of as very good or important by people in general The book is now recognized as a classic. She's a recognized authority on the subject.
- 5recognize somebody/something to give someone official thanks for something that they have done or achieved His service to the country was recognized with the award of the Medal of Honor.
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NAmE//ˈrɛkəɡˌnaɪz//
(not used in the progressive tenses)Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they recognize he / she / it recognizes
past simple recognized
Check pronunciation: recognize