identify

Academic Word List, sublist 1.

About 40.35 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To establish the identity of someone or something.

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

2. verb To disclose the identity of someone.

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

3. verb To establish the taxonomic classification of an organism.
4. verb To equate or make the same; to unite or combine into one.
5. verb To have a strong affinity with; to feel oneself to be modelled on or connected to.
6. verb To associate oneself with some group; to feel, or believe one feels, the same way.
7. verb To claim an identity; to describe oneself as a member of a group; to assert the use of a particular term to describe oneself.

Similar words

describe name distinguish discover place key key out identifier identification designate

Often followed by

the and with a themselves them those it as

Word family

identifiable identification identified identifies identifying identities identity