Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
👀 To identify 💡 To realize ✅ To officially accept 🏅 To show appreciation 🧬 To detect (biology)
to recognize

to recognize

246 1.4
To accept something as official or valid
  • verb
  • /ˈrɛkəɡnaɪz/
  • Formal
: reconocer
  • In this, the ncaa will recognize players as employees, and not student athletes.
  • officially recognized
  • formally recognized
  • internationally recognized

So to recognize an adversary is to recognize and acknowledge their standing.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Your new visa will not arrive until your country is recognized by the US.

    The Terminal (2004)

  • HCAs have established their value and are now recognized as key members of the practice team.

    Academic text (2012)

  • I would think, of all people, you would recognize a wall when you see one.

    Shrek (2001)

  • We need them to recognise that this is wrong behaviour.

  • These allegations are not recognized as crimes.

    Swordfish (2001)

  • They're finally recognizing your talents.

    The Incredibles (2004)

  • You recognize him?

    Forgiven (2011)

  • Though comprised solely of sovereign nations, these international organizations are recognized as having distinct legal personalities.

    Academic text (2017)

  • Within Oklahoma, there are two federally recognized Cherokee tribes, each with a distinct tribal government.

    Academic text (2011)

  • In a historic move, the council decided to recognize their contributions to the community.

Synonyms

to accept
vsto recognize
996 1.3

To believe or agree that something is true

is specifically formal acceptance stressing official recognition
to approve
vsto recognize
926 1.6

To officially agree to something or think that it is good

is more general formal acceptance of status or authority
to acknowledge
vsto recognize
659 3.8

To admit that something is true or real

is formal public acceptance of status authority or validity
to affirm
vsto recognize
112 4.1

To state clearly that something is true or show support for it

is official acceptance rather than mere declaration or support
to validate
vsto recognize
  • Formal
107 3.9

To make something officially acceptable by showing proof

is wider formal approval that embraces existence or authority
to certify
vsto recognize
  • Formal
62 3.9

To officially say that something meets a required standard

is a broader official acceptance beyond meeting specific standards
to accredit
vsto recognize
  • Formal
7 6.1

To officially say that a person or program meets standards

is wider formal acceptance of existence authority or validity
to officialize
vsto recognize
  • US
1 7.0

To give something formal approval from someone in charge

is mainly about formal acceptance rather than the making process

Antonyms

to reject
760 1.9

Refuse to accept someone or something

to dismiss
296 3.0

To refuse to accept an idea or claim

Phrasal Verbs

to recognize for
  • US
27 2.4

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

How Recognized

to endorse
366 4.2
to recognize
  • Formal
246 1.4
to accept
996 1.3
to acknowledge
659 3.8
to refuse
46 1.7

Surface Forms

recognize infinitive
recognise infinitive
recognized past
recognised past
recognized past participle
recognised past participle
recognizing present participle
recognising present participle
recognizes third person singular
recognises third person singular

Morphology

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

This official/ legal sense ('accept as valid') is a conventionalized extension of 'acknowledge/know', so morphology is regular but the institutional sense is more specialized.

Etymology

Recognize comes from re- 'again' and cogn- 'know', which fits official acceptance. So when an organization or country recognizes a qualification or government, it is formally 'knowing' and accepting its authority.