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classifyto 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.
💡 Concept

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)
🧠 Mnemonic

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.
🎵 Rhyme

Classifying information helped simplify the problem and identify the answer.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈklæsɪˌfaɪ/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈklæsɪfaɪ/

🌳Etymology

Rootclass
Suffix--ify

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

satisfyqualifytestifymodify
satisfy
qualify
testify
modify

🔗Collocations

classify information
classify as confidential
classify documents
classify species
classify data
classify books

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

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.

😄 Fun example

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

categorizeorganizesortarrangegroup

Antonyms

mixscramblejumble

Related

classificationcategorysystematictaxonomy

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