recognise and recognize are homophones: they are pronounced identically and spelled differently, which is why they are so often swapped. recognise means “show approval or appreciation of”. recognize means “accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority”. recognize is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈɹɛkəɡˌnaɪz/
1.v.show approval or appreciation of
“My work is not recognized by anybody!”
2.v.grant credentials to
“The Regents officially recognized the new educational institution”
3.v.detect with the senses
“The fleeing convicts were picked out of the darkness by the watchful prison guards”
/ˈɹɛkəɡˌnaɪz/
1.v.accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority
“The Crown Prince was acknowledged as the true heir to the throne”
2.v.be fully aware or cognizant of
3.v.detect with the senses
“The fleeing convicts were picked out of the darkness by the watchful prison guards”
| recognise | recognize | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈɹɛkəɡˌnaɪz/ | /ˈɹɛkəɡˌnaɪz/ |
| Said | REK-uhg-nahyz | REK-uhg-nahyz |
| Syllables | 3 | 3 |
| Letters | 9 | 9 |
| Parts of speech | verb | verb |
| Senses | 8 | 9 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | recognize | acknowledge, recognise, know |
Full entry for recognise · Full entry for recognize · More comparisons