Definition

Verb: 1. To identify someone or something as known or previously encountered: To perceive or acknowledge that you have seen, heard, or experienced someone or something before. 2. To accept or acknowledge the existence, validity, legality, or status of something: To formally accept that something is true, real, or has official authority. 3. To show appreciation or approval for an achievement or quality: To publicly acknowledge and give credit for someone's work, effort, or status. 4. To perceive or understand clearly: To be fully aware or conscious of a fact or situation.

Usage and Examples

• To identify something known:
  • I didn't recognise you with your new haircut.
  • The software can recognise faces in a crowd.
• To accept or acknowledge formally:
  • Many countries recognise the new government.
  • The court recognised her right to the property.
• To show appreciation or approval:
  • The award recognises her lifetime contribution to science.
  • He was recognised as employee of the month.
• To perceive or understand clearly:
  • We must recognise that the situation is serious.

Advanced Usage

• "Recognise as": To officially accept or identify someone/something as having a particular status or quality.
  • He is widely recognised as the leading expert in the field.
• "Recognise that...": Used to introduce a clause stating a fact that is acknowledged.
  • We recognise that more research is needed.

Variants and Related Words

• Recognition (noun): The act of recognising or the state of being recognised.
  • She received an award in recognition of her bravery.
• Recognizable (adjective): Able to be recognised or identified.
  • The building has a highly recognizable design.

Synonyms

• Identify: To establish the identity of someone or something.
• Acknowledge: To accept or admit the existence or truth of something.
• Accept: To receive or admit as valid or correct.

Phrasal Verbs / Common Collocations

• "Recognise by": To identify someone/something using a specific feature.
  • You can recognise the house by its red door.
• "Recognise from": To identify someone/something based on a previous encounter in a specific context.
  • I recognised her from the photograph.

Related Idioms

• "A recognised fact": Something that is generally accepted as true.
  • It is a recognised fact that exercise improves health.
• "To give due recognition": To properly acknowledge someone's efforts or achievements.
  • The volunteers deserve to be given due recognition for their work.

Verb

1. accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority
   • The Crown Prince was acknowledged as the true heir to the throne
   • We do not recognize your gods
2. perceive to be the same
3. be fully aware or cognizant of
4. express obligation, thanks, or gratitude for
   • We must acknowledge the kindness she showed towards us
5. express greetings upon meeting someone
6. detect with the senses
   • The fleeing convicts were picked out of the darkness by the watchful prison guards
   • I can't make out the faces in this photograph
7. grant credentials to
   • The Regents officially recognized the new educational institution
   • recognize an academic degree
8. show approval or appreciation of
   • My work is not recognized by anybody!
   • The best student was recognized by the Dean