recognized

1. 1
   past formverb

   Simple past and past participle of recognize.

   The committee recognized her contributions to the field last spring.

   By the time she retired, the public had recognized her as a pioneer in the field.

   Note

   One spelling serves both the past tense (she recognized him) and the participle after have or in the passive (he was recognized). The participle carries every meaning of recognize, and the words around it often show which one: recognized at once is memory, recognized for her work is honor, recognized as legal is acknowledgment. Set before a noun, it becomes the adjective of standing.

2. 2
   respectedadjective

   Generally acknowledged as notable, distinguished, or deserving of honor.

   She is a recognized authority on medieval manuscripts.

   The prize is reserved for a recognized expert in the discipline.

   Similaracknowledged, acclaimed, established, respected, renowned

   Oppositeunknown, obscure

   Note

   An adjective of standing, at home before a noun: a recognized authority, a recognized expert. It also stretches to whatever is simply established and known to all, with no honor involved: in Margery Allingham's The China Governess, a police chief speaks of "a recognized swag market." Because it is gradable, more recognized and most recognized are normal comparisons.

Showing meanings only. Show all 2