DictionaryAI

recognise

verb
REK-uhg-nyz/ˈɹɛkənaɪz/

Formsrecognises, recognising, recognised

US spellingrecognize · also used in the UK

8 meanings of recognise

Practice

  1. 1
    identifyverbtransitive
    To know who someone is or what something is because you have seen or heard them before.

    I didn't recognise you with your new haircut!

    The dog recognises my car and runs to the gate.

    UsageYou recognise a person by their voice, or from a photo.

    Similaridentify, know, remember

    Note
  2. 2
    acknowledgeverbtransitive
    To accept that something is true, or to see someone or something as being a certain way.

    He is recognised as the best player in the school.

    I recognise that I made a mistake, and I'm sorry.

    UsageSay someone is recognised as the best, or I recognise that I was wrong.

    Similaracknowledge, accept, admit, concede

    Oppositedeny

  3. 3
    accept officiallyverbtransitive
    To accept that something exists or is legal, or to treat it as worth taking seriously.

    The school does not recognise certificates from that college.

    The new law recognises the right of workers to join a union.

    Similaracknowledge

    Oppositereject, repudiate

    Note
  4. 4
    verbtransitive
    To understand what something really is, or notice the qualities it has.

    She was the first to recognise how serious the problem was.

    Her teacher recognised her gift for music early.

    Similarrealise, see, spot, appreciate, perceive

    Oppositeoverlook, miss

    Note
  5. 5
    honourverbtransitive
    To thank or praise someone officially, for example by giving them a prize.

    The firefighter was recognised for saving a child from the river.

    Every year the school likes to recognise pupils who help others.

    UsageOften be recognised for something you did well.

    Similarhonour, commend, reward, salute

Less common meanings

  1. 6
    verbobsolete
    To look carefully at something again.
    Note
  2. 7
    verbobsolete
    To go ahead and look carefully at an area, like soldiers do before a battle.
    before the siege was layd to the Towne, of minde to recognize, he fell unawares amongst an Ambushcade
    1637, Robert Monro, Monro
    Note
  3. 8
    verb
    To be able to attach to a particular substance, such as part of a virus, as an antibody does.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of recognise apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It came into English by the late 14th century through French, from the Latin word recognoscere.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts