identify
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /aɪˈdɛntɪfaɪ/
KK: /aɪˈdɛntɪˌfaɪ/
intransitive verb
Definition
To recognize or establish what something is or who someone is.
Example
The detective was able to identify the suspect from the security footage.
Tense Forms
Past: identified
Past Participle: identified
Conversation
I noticed that I can easily identify with people who love hiking.
That's interesting! I feel the same way about cooking.
It's nice when you can identify common interests with others.
Absolutely! It makes forming friendships so much easier.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
recognize
determine
discern
Antonyms
ignore
overlook
misidentify
transitive verb
Definition
To recognize or establish what something is or who someone is.
Example
The detective was able to identify the suspect from the security footage.
Tense Forms
Past: identified
Past Participle: identified
Conversation
Have you ever tried to identify the different types of birds in our park?
Not really, but I think it would be fun to learn more about them.
I heard there's an app that can help you identify them by sound.
Root Explanation
Identify → It is formed from "idem" (meaning the same) and "facere" (meaning to make or do). The word means to make something the same as something else, or to recognize and establish what something is.
Memory Tip
Think of making something 'the same' ('idem') as something else — that's how identify means to recognize or establish what something is.
Visually Confused Words
reidentify
entify
preidentify
misidentify
disidentify
indemnify
denitrify
densify