recognize — to identify someone or something that you have seen before
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to identify someone or something that you have seen before
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈrekəɡnaɪz/
Example Sentences
- My cat didn't recognize me after I dyed my hair purple.
- The teacher recognized Sarah's potential and encouraged her to apply for advanced classes.
- I finally recognized why my phone battery dies so fast - I've been playing games all day!
recognize
VERB[/ˈrekəɡnaɪz/]
to identify someone or something that you have seen before

To identify someone or something as familiar

"I recognized my friend in disguise— those familiar eyes were no surprise!"
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Latin 'recognoscere', a compound of 're-' (again) and 'cognoscere' (to know, to learn). The original meaning was 'to know again' or 'to identify by recollection'.
Breakdown
re- (again) + cognoscere (to know, to perceive). The Latin 'cognoscere' itself combines 'co-' (with) and 'gnoscere' (to know), ultimately from the Indo-European root 'gno-' meaning knowledge.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat didn't recognize me after I dyed my hair purple.”
“The teacher recognized Sarah's potential and encouraged her to apply for advanced classes.”
“I finally recognized why my phone battery dies so fast - I've been playing games all day!”
“The government recognized the new holiday after years of public campaigning.”
“I didn't recognize the song until the chorus started - then I realized it was my ringtone!”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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