identify

[ahy-den-tuh-fahy, ih-den-]

verb (used with object)

identified, identifying 

1. to recognize or establish as being a particular person or thing; verify the identity of.

   to identify handwriting; to identify the bearer of a check.

   Synonyms: determine, know, place, distinguish

2. to serve as a means of identification for.

   His gruff voice quickly identified him.

3. to make, represent to be, or regard or treat as the same or identical.

   They identified Jones with the progress of the company.

4. to associate in name, feeling, interest, action, etc. (usually followed bywith ).

   He preferred not to identify himself with that group.

5. Biology.,  to determine to what group (a given specimen) belongs.

6. Psychology.,  to associate (one or oneself ) with another person or a group of persons by identification.

verb (used without object)

identified, identifying 

1. to associate oneself in feeling, interest, action, etc., with a specified group or belief system (usually followed by as orwith ).

   He identifies as bisexual. She identifies with feminism. My family identifies Hispanic.

2. to experience psychological identification.

   The audience identified with the play's characters.

identify

/ aɪˈdɛntɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to prove or recognize as being a certain person or thing; determine the identity of

2. to consider as the same or equivalent

3. to consider (oneself) as similar to another

4. to determine the taxonomic classification of (a plant or animal)

5. psychol to engage in identification

Other Word Forms

• identifiable adjective
• identifiably adverb
• identifiability noun
• identifiableness noun
• identifier noun
• overidentify verb
• preidentify verb (used with object)
• reidentify verb (used with object)
• unidentifiable adjective
• unidentifiably adverb
• unidentified adjective
• unidentifying adjective
• well-identified adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of identify¹

First recorded in 1635–45; from Medieval Latin identificāre, equivalent to identi(tās) identity + -ficāre -fy

Example Sentences

“The state’s continued partnership with these companies when such widespread irregularities were identified by one of its own should alarm every taxpayer,” Bourn said.

From Los Angeles Times

While the body had not been formally identified at the time of the announcement, police were confident it was Phillips.

From BBC

“At Asilomar, we had identified the genetic modification of humans as the biggest coming issue,” Baltimore said.

From Los Angeles Times

Shirehjini is suspected of stealing the gift box, and Avetisyan was identified as the alleged getaway driver on the night of the wedding.

From Los Angeles Times

"We have identified him as someone who is going to be a really strong player and leader for us in the future," coach Brendon McCullum told Sky Sports.

From BBC

Related Words

• analyze 
• classify 
• describe 
• determine 
• diagnose 
• establish 
• find 
• name 
• pinpoint 
• select 
• single out 
• spot