classify — to arrange or organize into categories or groups according to shared characteristics
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to arrange or organize into categories or groups according to shared characteristics
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈklæsɪˌfaɪ/
Example Sentences
- The librarian spent all day trying to classify romance novels, but kept getting distracted by the steamy covers.
- Teachers classify students into different groups for group projects.
- My mom tries to classify my messy room as a 'disaster zone' rather than just untidy.
classify
VERB[/ˈklæsɪˌfaɪ/]
to arrange or organize into categories or groups according to shared characteristics

Scientists classified animals according to their characteristics.

Researchers classified information before starting their analysis. (CLASS + IDENTIFY = CLASSIFY → classify means identifying and placing things into categories)

Classifying information helped simplify the problem and identify the answer.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From French 'classifier', derived from Latin 'classis' (a class or division) and 'facere' (to make or do). The term combines these elements to literally mean 'to make classes'.
Breakdown
class- (a group or category, from Latin classis) + -i- (connecting vowel) + -fy (to make or cause to be, from Latin facere) = classify
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The librarian spent all day trying to classify romance novels, but kept getting distracted by the steamy covers.”
“Teachers classify students into different groups for group projects.”
“My mom tries to classify my messy room as a 'disaster zone' rather than just untidy.”
“Biologists classify organisms based on their DNA sequences.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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