Verb: recognize 're-kug,nIz
- Be fully aware or cognizant of
"He recognized the dangers of the expedition";
- recognise [Brit], realize, realise [Brit], agnize [archaic], agnise [Brit, archaic]
- Perceive to be the same
"I recognized my old friend despite the years that had passed";
- recognise [Brit]
- Accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept their power and authority
"We do not recognize your gods";
- acknowledge, recognise [Brit], know
- Detect or identify something despite difficulty or distance
"I could barely recognize the ship through the fog";
- spot, recognise [Brit], distinguish, discern, pick out, make out
- Grant credentials to
"The Regents officially recognized the new educational institution"; "recognize an academic degree";
- accredit, recognise [Brit]
- Show approval or appreciation of
"My work is not recognized by anybody!"; "The best student was recognized by the Dean";
- recognise [Brit]
- Express greetings upon meeting someone
"He recognized his neighbours with a friendly wave";
- greet, recognise [Brit]
- Express obligation, thanks, or gratitude for
"We must recognize the kindness she showed towards us";
- acknowledge, recognise [Brit]
- Exhibit recognition for (an antigen or a substrate)
"The antibody recognized the specific antigen on the cell surface";
- recognise [Brit]
Derived forms: recognizing, recognizes, recognized
Type of: accept, accost, appreciate, bind, buttonhole [informal], call back, call up, certify, cognise [Brit], cognize, detect, discover, find, give thanks, know, licence [Brit, Cdn], license, nobble [Brit, informal], notice, observe, prize, recall, recollect, remember, retrieve, thank, think, treasure, value
Encyclopedia: Recognize