Meaning & use
recognize
To identify someone or something from previous knowledge or experience.
See it in a sentence
I almost didn't recognize her with her new haircut and glasses.
The dog recognized its owner's footsteps before she even opened the door.
A note on using this word
Recognize also means to formally acknowledge something, as in 'the country recognized the new government.'
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. verb
To acknowledge officially or formally, such as an achievement, status, or right.
The committee recognized her years of volunteer work with a special award.
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