What does recommend mean?
To recommend means to advise someone that a particular option is good, suitable, or likely to benefit them. The word commonly appears with advice about actions, such as recommending that someone rest, travel, or apply for a job, but it also means to endorse a person, product, place, or idea. In professional and official contexts, it can mean to put someone forward as worthy of a position or distinction. Recommendations are often expressed directly, as in “I recommend this book,” or indirectly through a that-clause, as in “I recommend that you check the figures.” The word carries a generally positive connotation because it implies judgment or support, although the strength of the endorsement depends on context. It is useful in precise writing because it can express both practical advice and public approval, while remaining more authoritative than a casual suggestion.
verbTo advise or suggest that a particular course of action, person, place, or thing is suitable, beneficial, or worthy of choice. It can also mean to commend or put forward someone or something as suitable for a position or purpose.
- To advise or suggest a course of action as suitable or beneficial.
- To endorse or speak favourably about a person, place, product, or thing.
- To present someone as suitable for a position, role, or honour.
"The doctor recommended that she rest and drink plenty of fluids."
"I would recommend booking the tickets early."
"The committee recommended Dr Patel for the position."
To recommend something is to offer advice, but to recommend someone is also to put their abilities or character forward as worthy of trust.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does recommend come from?
The English verb comes from Latin recommendare, formed from re- and mandare, meaning to give a command or charge. In Latin, recommendare developed the sense of to advise or commend, and it entered English in the early 16th century. The word is related to commend, mandate, mandatory, and remand, all of which reflect forms of the Latin root mandare.
Related word forms
How recommend is actually used
The word is formal but widely used in everyday English. It is often followed by a that-clause, a gerund, or an object followed by for; in formal recommendations, the name or subject of the person or thing recommended is commonly mentioned first.