Meaning & use
recognizable
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivenot comparable
Able to be identified as someone or something known or familiar.
Grammar: Often followed by 'to' or 'as': recognizable to fans, recognizable as a classic.
Patterns
- recognizable to someone
- recognizable as something
- recognizable by something
The actor's face is recognizable to millions of people.
The building is recognizable as a typical example of Victorian architecture.
Her handwriting is instantly recognizable.
Common combinations
- instantly recognizable
- The melody is instantly recognizable.
- easily recognizable
- The bird is easily recognizable by its red breast.
- recognizable pattern
- The data showed a recognizable pattern.
- recognizable brand
- They want to build a globally recognizable brand.
Synonyms and how they differ
- identifiable
- Identifiable is more formal and often used in technical contexts.
- familiar
- Familiar means well-known from experience, while recognizable focuses on being able to be identified.
Opposites
Word family
- recognize verb
- To identify from previous knowledge.
- recognizably adverb
- In a way that can be recognized.
- recognition noun
- The act of recognizing or being recognized.
- recognizability noun
- The quality of being recognizable.
Commonly confused: recognizable or recognized?
recognizable vs recognized
Recognized means that someone has already identified or acknowledged something; recognizable means it can be identified.
Practice
The landmark is ______ to anyone who has lived in the city.
Choose one answer.
The adjective 'recognizable' fits after 'is' to describe the landmark. 'Recognizably' is an adverb, 'recognize' a verb, and 'recognition' a noun, so they do not fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “recognizable”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.