identifiableness

identifiableness

A fingerprint's identifiableness makes it a valuable tool in forensic science.

Definition

Noun (uncountable): The quality or state of being identifiable; the capacity to be recognized or distinguished as a particular person, thing, or entity.

Usage Examples
  • (The ability to recognize the suspect was reduced.)
  • (Scholars discussed whether the objects could be clearly recognized as belonging to a specific culture or period.)
  • (The ability to distinguish this species from others is essential.)
Advanced Usage
  • "degree of identifiableness": a measure of how easily something can be identified.

    • The degree of identifiableness in the photograph was low due to motion blur. (The photo made recognition difficult.)
  • "lack of identifiableness": the absence of distinguishing features.

    • The lack of identifiableness in the anonymous donation made it untraceable. (The donation could not be connected to a specific person.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Identifiable (adj): capable of being identified.
    • The witness provided an identifiable description. (The description allowed recognition.)
  • Identify (verb): to recognize or establish the identity of.
    • They could not identify the source of the noise. (They could not determine what made the noise.)
  • Identification (noun): the act or process of identifying.
    • The identification of the victim took several days. (The process of recognizing the victim.)
Synonyms
  • Recognizability: the quality of being able to be recognized.
  • Distinguishability: the quality of being able to be told apart from others.
  • Discernibility: the quality of being perceptible or distinguishable.
Related Idioms
  • "stand out": to be easily noticed or identified.
    • Her bright red hair made her stand out in the crowd. (Her hair made her easily identifiable.)
  • "stick out like a sore thumb": to be very obviously different and easily identified.
    • In his formal suit, he stuck out like a sore thumb at the beach party. (He was very easily identified as out of place.)