What does reidentify mean?
Reidentify is a verb meaning to identify someone or something again. The prefix “re-” indicates repetition, so the action usually involves looking at a person, object, specimen, or record that may have changed or become unfamiliar since the earlier identification. It is especially common in scientific and forensic contexts, where researchers may need to reidentify a specimen after it has been stored, moved, renamed, or mislabeled. The word can also mean recognizing something as identical to an entity identified before, rather than establishing its identity for the first time. Compared with the general verb “identify,” “reidentify” highlights a prior act of identification and a subsequent act of confirmation or renewed recognition. It is more precise and formal than ordinary phrases such as “identify again,” and it is particularly useful when tracking continuity across changes in appearance, naming, location, or circumstances.
verbTo identify someone or something again, especially after a change in appearance, name, location, or circumstances. It can also mean to recognize something as the same entity that was previously identified.
- To identify again, especially after a change in appearance, name, location, or circumstances.
- To recognize a person or thing as the same entity previously identified.
"Researchers used DNA analysis to reidentify the specimen after it had been mislabeled."
"The photograph helped detectives reidentify the missing person years later."
"Using a chemical signature, scientists reidentified the mineral sample as a rare variety of quartz."
Reidentify turns the familiar prefix “re-” into a useful forensic clue: look again, because the same thing may now be wearing a different name.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reidentify come from?
Reidentify was formed in English by combining the productive prefix re-, meaning “again,” with identify. The root identify comes through French identifier from Latin identificare, formed from idem, “the same,” and facere, “to make.” The same Latin foundation appears in identification and identity, while identifiable is another English derivative of the same root. The prefixed verb became especially useful in scientific and forensic language, where an entity may need to be recognized again after a change or separation from its original context.
Related word forms
How reidentify is actually used
The word is relatively formal and technical, especially common in research, forensic, archaeological, and taxonomic contexts. It can sound deliberate or bureaucratic when used in ordinary conversation.
Easily confused with reidentify
Identify means to determine or establish the identity of someone or something for the first time, whereas reidentify means to identify again or to recognize a previously known entity after a change or interval.
Misidentify means to assign the wrong identity to someone or something, while reidentify generally means to identify again correctly or confirm an identity already known.