identify
word
Definition
To recognize or name someone or something correctly. It can also mean to discover what something is, or to confirm who a person is.
Usage & Nuances
Common in formal, academic, medical, and police contexts: 'identify a problem', 'identify the cause', 'identify the suspect'. 'Recognize' is often more about knowing something from before, while 'identify' often stresses naming, finding, or confirming exactly what it is. It can also be reflexive: 'identify as' for gender, nationality, or group identity.
Example Sentences
Can you identify the animal in this picture?
basic
The police could not identify the driver.
basic
We need to identify the problem first.
basic
I can't identify where that smell is coming from.
natural
She quickly identified a mistake in the report.
natural
He identifies as Mexican American.
natural