identify — English Dictionary

identify
Pronunciations (4)
  • /aɪˈdɛn.tɪ.faɪ/
    Pronunciation notes
    • UK
  • /aɪˈdɛn.(t)ə.faɪ/
    Pronunciation notes
    • US
  • /aɪˈdɛn.(t)ɪ.faɪ/
    Pronunciation notes
    • US
  • aɪˈdɛn.tɪ.faɪ

Verb

  1. To establish the identity of someone or something.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    It was hard to identify the shoplifter because the CCTV records didn't have a clear image.

    The formal name of a national having domiciliary register shall be identified by the national identity card.

    More examples (2)

    A provision of law may not be construed as requiring a new grant to be awarded to a specified non-Federal Government entity unless that provision of law (1) specifically refers to this subsection; specifically identifies the particular non-Federal Government entity involved; and (3) specifically states that the award to that entity is required by such provision of law in contravention of the policy set forth in subsection (a).

    If you have normal insulins with a normal oral glucose tolerance identifying nondiabetes, does it mean that you were never diabetic...

  2. To disclose the identity of someone.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    The Associated Press will not identify the suspect of the crime because he is a juvenile.

  3. To establish the taxonomic classification of an organism.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    A recent biological inventory uncovered 41 species and 2 subspecies of insects new to science and many species not before identified in the State of Washington.

  4. To equate or make the same; to unite or combine into one.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    Every precaution is taken to identify the interests of the people, and their rulers.

    18 February, 1780, Edmund Burke, Speech on Economical Reform Let us identify, let us incorporate ourselves with the people.

  5. To have a strong affinity with; to feel oneself to be modelled on or connected to.

    Usage
    • Reflexive
    Examples
    More examples (2)

    Der Traum erhält eine neue Deutung, wenn sie im Traum nicht sich, sondern die Freundin meint, wenn sie sich an die Stelle der Freundin gesetzt oder, wie wir sagen können, sich mit ihr identifiziert hat.

    Cash endures because his most well-known songs—“I Walk the Line” and “Ring of Fire” among them—weave deeply personal narratives with which listeners of all stripes can effortlessly identify.

  6. To associate oneself with some group; to feel, or believe one feels, the same way.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples
    More examples (2)

    Now, the vast majority of us identify with the second group, the one that believes in trusting the wisdom of the people rather than taking power away from them and concentrating it in the other hands.

    My lover and I are arguing about time. Specifically how much time I'm devoting to AIDS Action. […] I try not to take her accusations to heart. That is, until she says it. "You're more gay-identified than woman-identified."

  7. To claim an identity; to describe oneself as a member of a group; to assert the use of a particular term to describe oneself.

    Usage
    • Reflexive
    • with as
    Examples
    More examples (1)

    "The main message is that it's the interface between individuals and society that causes students who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual the most distress," said study first author Yue Zhao.

Verb

  1. recognize as being; establish the identity of someone or something

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    She identified the man on the ‘wanted’ poster

  2. give the name or identifying characteristics of; refer to by name or some other identifying characteristic property

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    Many senators were named in connection with the scandal

    The almanac identifies the auspicious months

  3. consider (oneself) as similar to somebody else

    Examples

    He identified with the refugees

  4. conceive of as united or associated

    Examples

    Sex activity is closely identified with the hypothalamus

  5. identify as in botany or biology, for example

    Broader terms
  6. consider to be equal or the same

    Broader terms
    Examples

    He identified his brother as one of the fugitives

Word forms
identifiesidentifyingidentifiedidentified

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