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Elementary Dictionary
       

rec·og·nize

recognize

 
 
pronunciation:
re kg naIz
features:
Word Parts
part of speech: verb
inflections: recognizes, recognizing, recognized
definition 1: When you recognize your dad's voice on the telephone, you know when you hear the voice that it is your dad's voice. When you recognize something, you are able to tell what it is. When you recognize a person, you are able to tell who that person is.
Ryan was wearing a mask with his Halloween costume, but Julia recognized him because of his red hair.My grandmother showed me old photographs of my mom when she was a girl, but I couldn't recognize her. She looked so different.
synonyms:
place
antonyms:
mistake
similar words:
distinguish, identify, know, recall, remember, spot
definition 2: If you recognize someone that you have never met before, you are able to tell who they are from information that you already have about them.
Jordan recognized the missing dog from its picture on a poster.
synonyms:
know
similar words:
distinguish, recall, remember
definition 3: When you recognize something, you accept the truth of it. When you recognize a mistake you made, you understand and accept that you really made a mistake. You don't deny it.
Colin recognized that what he said hurt Jake's feelings, so he apologized.
antonyms:
ignore
similar words:
appreciate, identify with, realize, respect, see, understand
definition 4: When a government recognizes something, it accepts it as real and true according to law. When countries of the world recognize a new country, it means that they agree that this land should be called a real and true country and that they accept it as that.
The small island is now recognized by most nations as an independent country.The U.S. government recognizes Christmas as a national holiday.
derivations: recognizable (adj.), recognizably (adv.)
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