recognise
gb/ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz/ us/ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz/
A2
English
~ 1100
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Identify from previous knowledge
To know a person or thing because you saw or heard them before.
Usage pattern:
to recognise [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'recognise' with 'realise'. 'Recognise' means to identify from memory; 'realise' means to become aware of something.
Synonyms
identify (More formal and can be used in technical contexts, but similar in meaning when confirming who or what something is.)
Antonyms
misidentify (Means to identify incorrectly; the opposite of recognising accurately.)
Collocations
recognise a face
|recognise a voice
|recognise someone instantly
|easily recognise
Themes
daily life
|communication
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I recognised her from the party last year.
- He recognised the song as soon as it started playing.
- Do you recognise this handwriting?
- She didn’t recognise him without his glasses.
Learner examples
- I recognise my teacher in the photo.
- Do you recognise this man?
- She recognises the music on the radio.
- He does not recognise the place.
Verb
B2
action
2
Acknowledge as valid or true
To say or show that something is true or accepted.
Usage pattern:
to recognise [something] as [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with personal identification; here it refers to formal acceptance, not visual recognition.
Synonyms
acknowledge (Very close in meaning; often interchangeable in formal contexts, but 'acknowledge' can also mean simply admitting something without formal acceptance.)
Antonyms
reject (Means to refuse to accept something as true or valid.)
Collocations
recognise a government
|recognise a qualification
|recognise rights
Themes
law
|politics
Examples
- The country refused to recognise the new regime.
- Her qualifications are recognised worldwide.
- We must recognise the importance of early education.
Learner examples
- The school recognises his diploma.
- Many countries recognise the new law.
- I recognise that this is a problem.
Verb
B1
action
3
Admit something is true
To agree that something is true or important.
Usage pattern:
to recognise that [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'realise' instead of 'recognise' here; 'realise' focuses on becoming aware, while 'recognise' focuses on admitting truth.
Synonyms
accept (Slightly broader; can mean agreeing to take something, not just admitting truth.)
Antonyms
deny (Means to refuse to accept that something is true.)
Collocations
recognise a problem
|recognise the need for change
Themes
communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We must recognise that mistakes were made.
- He recognised his own limitations.
- They recognised the need for urgent action.
Learner examples
- I recognise that I was wrong.
- She recognises the danger.
- We recognise the need for help.
Verb
B1
action
4
Show appreciation for achievement
To thank or praise someone for what they did.
Usage pattern:
to recognise [someone's] [work/effort/contribution]
Synonyms
honour ('Honour' is more formal and ceremonial; 'recognise' can be used in everyday contexts.)
Antonyms
overlook (Means to fail to notice or acknowledge someone's efforts.)
Collocations
recognise hard work
|recognise achievement
Themes
work
|social
|relationships
Examples
- The company recognised her years of service with an award.
- We should recognise his contribution to the project.
- Teachers were recognised for their dedication.
Learner examples
- The boss recognised her good work.
- They recognised his help in the meeting.
- We recognised her big effort.
Grammar
Dictionary form
recognise
IPA
GB/ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz/
US/ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
re - cog - nise (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (re)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: recognise
- 3rd Person Singular: recognises
- Present Participle: recognising
- Past: recognised
Word family
Forms
recognises
verb
recognising
verb
recognised
verb
Core family
recognition
noun B1
recognisable
adjective B2
Related words
recognize
verb A2
Negative and opposite forms
unrecognisable
adjective
Expressions
be recognised for
1/bˈi ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪzd fɚ/
fixed phrase
Receive acknowledgement for reason
To get thanks or praise for something you did well.
Examples
- She was recognised for her outstanding research.
- They were recognised for their bravery.
recognise as
1/ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz ˈæz/
fixed phrase
Accept in a specific role/category
To say someone or something is in a certain role or group.
Examples
- He was recognised as the best player of the season.
- The qualification is recognised as equivalent to a degree.
recognise the fact that
1/ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪz ðə fˈækt ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
Admit a fact is true
To say that a certain thing is true.
Examples
- We must recognise the fact that resources are limited.
- She recognises the fact that change takes time.