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to recognize

to recognize

1.4
To see or hear someone and know who they are
  • verb
  • /ˈrɛkəɡnaɪz/
  • US
translation icon : reconocer
  • She didn't recognize him at first because he had changed so much.
  • recognize words
  • recognize letters
  • able to recognize

So of course the scans don't recognize the damage.

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Examples

  • And you're going to recognize some people at this ribbon cutting.

  • Any Star Trek fans in the room will recognize that immediately.

  • How many of you recognize this guy right here?

  • By the way, does anybody recognize that number?

  • You want to stay away from those people, especially if you recognize them.

  • So if you happen to recognize any of them, let me know.

  • The key is learning to recognize them.

  • Look, I barely recognize my daughter anymore.

  • Did you recognize any of the thieves?

  • I want him to recognize all Indian tribes.

Synonyms

to know
vsto recognize
1.0

To recognize a person or thing you have seen before

relies on past meeting or memory to notice someone again
to identify
vsto recognize
1.8

Say who someone is or what something is

uses memory or a prior meeting to notice the same person again
to detect
vsto recognize
763 3.2

Find something that is hard to notice

is about noticing a person or thing because of prior memory, not first discovery
to spot
vsto recognize
576 2.1

To notice someone or something, especially when it is hard

is about seeing or hearing a person again from earlier memory
to perceive
vsto recognize
83 3.7

To notice something with your senses, especially sight or hearing

adds the need for prior memory to notice someone again
to discern
vsto recognize
70 5.8

To notice something that is hard to see or hear

depends on prior experience to notice the same thing again
to pick out
vsto recognize
64 3.0

Notice a sound or sight among other things

is based on memory to notice the same person again
to register
vsto recognize
48 3.4

To notice or become aware of something in your mind

is about recalling a past encounter to notice the same person
to cognize
vsto recognize
1 9.6

To notice and understand something in your mind

involves recalling a prior sensory meeting to notice someone again

Antonyms

1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

243 2.9

To not notice someone or something you should see

Phrasal Verbs

17 2.4

To give praise or a reward to someone for something good they did

How Clear

to confirm
1.8
to identify
1.8
to recognize
  • US
1.4
to notice
1.0

Surface Forms

recognize infinitive
recognized past
recognized past participle
recognizing present participle
recognizes third person singular

Morphology

recognize = cognize (semi-transparent) = re + cogn + ize

If a learner knows 'cognize', adding 're-' gives the straightforward sense 'know again', which closely matches 'identify as previously known'.

Etymology

Recognize comes from two old parts: re- meaning 'again' and cogn- meaning 'know'. So to recognize a person or voice is like 'knowing them again' when you see or hear them.