classify
Formsclassifies, classifying, classified
- 1To sort people or things into classes or categories according to shared qualities.
Biologists classify organisms according to shared physical and genetic traits.
The survey classifies respondents by age and income bracket.
Similarcategorize, sort, group, class, grade
Note
The verb comes from French classifier and breaks down as class plus -ify, so its core idea is putting things into classes. It has two main constructions. Classify something as a type assigns one item to a category: classify make up as an idiom or as a phrasal verb. Classify things by a criterion names the basis for sorting, such as by age or by income.
- 2To officially declare information secret, especially a government secret, restricting who may access it.
The agency chose to classify the satellite images as top secret.
Authorities classified thousands of pages relating to the operation.
Oppositedeclassify
- 3To make someone or something appear more stylish, refined, or elegant.
A tailored jacket can classify even the most casual look.
He classified the small gathering with live jazz and candlelight.
Similarelevate
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of classify apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
This word comes from French "classifier." By surface analysis, it is made from "class" plus the suffix "-ify."