Meaning & use
recognized
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“recognized” is a form of “recognize”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Accepted by many people or by an official body as valid or important.
Grammar: Often before a noun: a recognized authority, a recognized qualification.
Patterns
- a recognized authority
- be recognized as something
She is a recognized expert on ancient languages.
The degree is a recognized qualification across Europe.
This is a recognized method for treating the problem.
adjectivecomparable
Known and identified from earlier experience, or officially named as having a certain status.
Grammar: After a verb, recognized as describes a status or identity: recognized as a charity.
Patterns
- be recognized as something
- be recognized for something
The group was recognized as an official charity.
He is widely recognized for his work with refugees.
The brand is instantly recognized around the world.
verbtransitive
The past tense and past participle of recognize, meaning to know someone or something from before, or to accept something as true or valid.
Grammar: A verb form that takes an object: she recognized his voice.
Patterns
- recognized someone
- recognized that something is true
I recognized her voice immediately on the phone.
The court recognized his right to appeal.
They recognized that the plan was too risky.
Word forms
| base form | recognize |
|---|
Common combinations
- widely recognized
- Her skill is widely recognized in the industry.
- recognized authority
- He is a recognized authority on bird migration.
- officially recognized
- The language is officially recognized by the government.
- internationally recognized
- It is an internationally recognized qualification.
- instantly recognized
- The logo is instantly recognized by shoppers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- acknowledged
- Acknowledged stresses that something has been admitted or accepted, often reluctantly, while recognized can be neutral.
- accepted
- Accepted focuses on general agreement, but recognized can also mean formally approved.
- established
- Established suggests something has been in place and proven over time.
- familiar
- Familiar means well-known to you personally, but recognized means identified or officially accepted.
Opposites
Word family
- recognize verb
- to know again, or to accept as valid
- recognition noun
- the act of knowing someone again or giving credit
- recognizable adjective
- easy to identify
- unrecognized adjective
- not noticed or not officially accepted
Commonly confused: recognized or recognised?
recognized vs recognised
Recognised is the British spelling of recognized. Both are correct, but you should choose one and stay consistent.
Practice
Which sentence uses recognized in the sense of officially accepted?
Choose one answer.
Being recognized by a board means official acceptance. The other options describe identifying someone or something familiar.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “recognized”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.