Master this essential English verb with clear explanations and practical examples.
Meaning
The verb recognize (also spelled recognise in British English) means:
To identify someone or something you have seen, heard, or experienced before.
To acknowledge the existence, validity, or legality of something.
To show appreciation or approval for someone’s efforts or achievements.
Pronunciation
/ˈrek.əɡ.naɪz/ (rek-uhg-nyze)
Examples in Sentences
I didn’t recognize her at first because she had changed her hairstyle.
The government finally recognized the new country’s independence.
Her hard work was recognized with an employee of the month award.
Do you recognize this song? It was popular in the 90s.
Synonyms
identifyacknowledgerealizeappreciateknowdetect
Common Phrases
Recognize someone by... – e.g., “I recognized him by his voice.” Widely recognized as... – e.g., “She is widely recognized as a leading expert.” Fail to recognize... – e.g., “He failed to recognize the danger.”