What does recognise mean?
Recognise means to identify something as familiar, as when someone recognises a face, a place, or a sound. It can also mean to acknowledge the importance, validity, or existence of something, as in recognising the need for change. In public and institutional contexts, recognise often refers to formal acknowledgment, such as honouring an achievement, status, or contribution. The word is widely used in formal, professional, and everyday English in both British and American varieties, although the spelling differs. Its central idea is a form of knowledge: recognising involves connecting what is encountered with what is already known, or accepting something as true or deserving. This makes recognise useful not only for describing identification but also for discussing attention, awareness, validation, and official recognition.
verbTo identify someone or something as familiar, or to acknowledge the existence, importance, or validity of something. It can also mean to officially acknowledge a person or achievement.
- To identify someone or something as familiar.
- To acknowledge the existence, importance, or validity of something.
- To officially acknowledge a person, achievement, status, or right.
- To become aware of or accept a fact or situation.
"She paused at the door, trying to recognise the familiar voice."
"I didn't recognise you with your new haircut."
"The committee recognised the volunteers for their outstanding service."
To recognise something is to connect it with what you already know; to recognise an achievement is to give it formal acknowledgment.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does recognise come from?
Recognise derives from the Latin verb recognoscere, formed from re-, meaning again, and cognoscere, meaning to get to know or learn. The underlying idea is therefore that of knowing or identifying something again. The word entered English in the 16th century, and its English relatives include recognition, recognisable, and cognizant.
Related word forms
How recognise is actually used
The British spelling is recognise, while recognize is the usual US spelling. In its sense of formally acknowledging an achievement or status, the word is especially common in official and institutional contexts.