recognize
Definitions
To know someone or something again because you have seen, heard, or met them before.
认出；辨认出
To accept or admit that something is true or valid.
认识到；承认（事实、重要性）
To officially acknowledge a country, government, or status.
正式承认（国家、政府、地位）
To show appreciation for someone's work or achievements.
表彰；赏识
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedre- (again) + cogn (know, Latin cognoscere — cousin of Greek gnost) + -ize = 'to know again.' You met this face or sound before, and now you match what's in front of you against what's stored in memory. From that core of 're-knowing' grow the other senses: to acknowledge a fact, to officially accept a state, and to honor someone's achievements.
Root gnost still carries 11 more wordsUsage Guide
Spelling: American English uses recognize; British English usually uses recognise. Both are correct — just stay consistent within one document. Watch the silent middle: the 'g' is pronounced but the word is often slurred to /ˈrek.ə.naɪz/.
Example Sentences
- 1.
I recognized her voice the moment she said hello.
- 2.
We must recognize that the problem is getting worse.
- 3.
Several countries refused to recognize the new government.
- 4.
The company recognized her years of hard work with an award.
Easily Confused
recognize vs identify — Both involve knowing what something is, but recognize means you already knew it and match it again (recognize an old friend); identify means you work out what something is, often from scratch (identify the suspect from evidence).