recognise

Everyday

1. To recognise someone or something is to know who or what they are because you have seen, heard or met them before. tree →
2. To accept that something is true or real. tree →
3. To show that you value something someone has done, often by praising or rewarding it. tree →

In the lessons

Used in everyday life and safety: recognise a friend's voice; recognise warning signs of danger. In maths: recognise shapes, patterns and number facts. In school awards: recognise good work. In science: recognise living things by their features.

Examples

• I didn't recognise you with your new haircut! tree →
• Can you recognise these shapes? tree →
• She recognised the song straight away. tree →
• Learn to recognise the signs of a scam. tree →
• The school recognised his hard work with a certificate. tree →
• Dogs recognise their owners by smell. tree →
• He recognised that he had made a mistake. tree →
• She recognised Gerda immediately, and Gerda knew her too. tree →

Note

British spelling; American "recognize". Noun: recognition. Stress on "REC". Different from "know": recognise means you know it again when you meet it.

In Jewish tradition

Used in everyday life and safety: recognise a friend's voice; recognise warning signs of danger. In maths: recognise shapes, patterns and number facts. In school awards: recognise good work. In science: recognise living things by their features.

Examples

• The Third sect recognised no god beside the Sun, in which it recognised the sole principle of existence." (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →

Note

British spelling; American "recognize". Noun: recognition. Stress on "REC". Different from "know": recognise means you know it again when you meet it.