verb · neutral
recognize
UK/ˈrɛkəɡnaɪz/US/ˈrɛkəɡˌnaɪz/RE·cog·nize
to identify someone or something seen before, or to accept/acknowledge a fact or status
Examples
“I didn't recognize him with his new haircut.”
“The government recognized the new union last year.”
“Many people fail to recognize the long-term effects of pollution.”
Band 8 sentence
“Although I didn't immediately recognize her, I soon remembered we had been classmates at university.”
Collocations
- recognize someone/something
- recognize a right/status
- gain recognition
Word family
Common mistakes
I didn't recognize him because he has new hair.→I didn't recognize him because he had a new haircut.
The country recognize the treaty last year.→The country recognized the treaty last year.
Say it for a higher band
5see/know→6identify→7+recognize
Synonyms
identify
acknowledge
Easily confused
identify
“The police asked witnesses to identify the suspect.”
Related words
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In -ize
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