identify

verb

y-DEN-tuh-fy/aɪˈdɛn.(t)ə.faɪ/UKy-DEN-ti-fy/aɪˈdɛn.tɪ.faɪ/

Formsidentifies, identifying, identified

5 meanings of identify

1
recognizeverbtransitive
To find out or say who someone is or what something is, such as which kind of plant or bird it is.
Like matching a name to a face in a photo.
Police asked the witness to identify the man who stole the car.
She could identify the bird just by its song.
UsageSay identify someone as the thief, or identify a bird by its song.
2
reveal whoverbtransitive
To make known who a person is, often by naming them.
Like pointing out a person and saying their name out loud.
The report did not identify the people involved.
She would not identify her friend to the police.
UsageUse to for who you tell: identify someone to the police.
Similarname, reveal, disclose, unmask, expose
Oppositeconceal, hide
3
feel connectedverbintransitive
To feel that you are like someone, or that you share the feelings of a person or group.
Like feeling that a song was written just for you.
Many immigrants identify with others from their home country.
She identifies with kids who feel left out.
UsageSay identify with someone you feel close to. Identify as is different: it names what you are.
Note
4
describe yourselfverbreflexiveintransitive
To say that you are part of a group, or that a certain word describes who you are.
Like picking a label that tells people who you are.
He identifies as an artist more than a businessman.
They identify as members of the local tribe.
UsageSay identify as + a word for yourself: he identifies as an artist.
Note
5
treat as sameverbtransitive
To treat two things as being the same, or to join them into one.
Like treating two different words as if they mean exactly the same thing.
Some people identify money with success.
The old myth identifies the sun with a god.
UsageSay identify one thing with another: money with success.
Similarequate, associate, conflate, link
Oppositedistinguish, differentiate, separate
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from French identifier, built from Latin words meaning 'the same' and 'to make'.

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 4 facts

Identify comes from French identifier. en.wiktionary.org
Its underlying Latin elements mean 'the same' and 'to make'. en.wiktionary.org
The first Latin element means 'the same'. en.wiktionary.org
The second Latin element means 'to make'. en.wiktionary.org