recognize (v.)

  1. accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority; The Crown Prince was acknowledged as the true heir to the throne; We do not recognize your gods

    [ Syn: acknowledge , recognise , know ]

  2. be fully aware or cognizant of

    [ Syn: recognise , realize , realise , agnize , agnise ]

  3. detect with the senses; The fleeing convicts were picked out of the darkness by the watchful prison guards; I cant make out the faces in this photograph

    [ Syn: spot , recognise , distinguish , discern , pick out , make out , tell apart ]

  4. perceive to be the same

    [ Syn: recognise ]

  5. grant credentials to; The Regents officially recognized the new educational institution; recognize an academic degree

    [ Syn: accredit , recognise ]

  6. express greetings upon meeting someone

    [ Syn: greet , recognise ]

  7. express obligation, thanks, or gratitude for; We must acknowledge the kindness she showed towards us

    [ Syn: acknowledge , recognise ]

  8. exhibit recognition for (an antigen or a substrate)

  9. show approval or appreciation of; My work is not recognized by anybody!; The best student was recognized by the Dean

    [ Syn: recognise ]

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.