recognize verb (KNOW)
B1 [ T ] to know someone or something because you have seen or heard him or her or experienced it before:
I hadn't seen her for 20 years, but I recognized her immediately.
Do you recognize this song?
More examples
- He put on a large hat and glasses as a disguise and hoped no one would recognize him.
- His red hair and short stature made him easy to recognize.
- As we drew alongside the black car, I suddenly recognized my ex-boyfriend at the wheel.
- Many distant relatives, most of whom I hardly recognized, turned up for my brother's wedding.
- He'd completely changed - I didn't recognize him.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
- assimilate
- audit
- blended learning
- bone up
- brain training
- by-heart
- cut your political, professional, etc. teeth idiom
- deskill
- gen up
- hear tell (of) idiom
- know better (than sb) idiom
- know sth like the back of your hand idiom
- know which side your bread is buttered (on) idiom
- knowable
- mug
- pick sth up
- quick
- reskill
- revision
- tell
recognize verb (ACCEPT)
B2 [ T ] to accept that something is legal, true, or important:
The international community has refused to recognize (= officially accept the existence of) the newly independent nation state.
[ + (that) ] He sadly recognized (that) he would die childless.
You must recognize the seriousness of the problems we are facing.
C1 [ T often passive ] If a person's achievements are recognized, official approval is shown for them:
More examples
- The country has de facto independence now, and it will soon be recognized de jure by the world's governments.
- His pre-eminence in his subject is internationally recognized.
- We need to recognize that we are now living in a plural society.
- Alcoholics often have to hit rock bottom before they recognize that they have a problem.
- Steiner was recognized as an original if unorthodox thinker.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
