Identify: meaning, definitions and examples

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identify

[ aɪˈdɛntɪˌfaɪ ]

^{Context #1}

personal information security

Establish or indicate who or what (someone or something) is.

Synonyms

name, pinpoint, recognize, spot

Examples of usage

Please identify yourself before entering the building.
The police asked the witness to identify the suspect in the lineup.
She was able to identify the song just by hearing a few notes.

^{Context #2}

science

Establish the identity of (someone or something).

Synonyms

ascertain, determine, diagnose, discover

Examples of usage

Scientists were able to identify the new species of plant.
The lab test will help identify the virus causing the illness.

^{Context #3}

personal information

An official document proving a person's identity.

Synonyms

ID, document, proof of identity

Examples of usage

Make sure to carry your identification with you at all times.
The airport security asked to see our identifications.

Translations

Translations of the word "identify" in other languages:

🇵🇹 identificar

🇮🇳 पहचानना

🇩🇪 identifizieren

🇮🇩 mengidentifikasi

🇺🇦 ідентифікувати

🇵🇱 identyfikować

🇯🇵 識別する (しきべつする)

🇫🇷 identifier

🇪🇸 identificar

🇹🇷 tanımlamak

🇰🇷 식별하다 (sikbyeolhada)

🇸🇦 تحديد (tahdid)

🇨🇿 identifikovat

🇸🇰 identifikovať

🇨🇳 识别 (shíbié)

🇸🇮 identificirati

🇮🇸 auðkenna

🇰🇿 анықтау

🇬🇪 იდენტიფიცირება

🇦🇿 müəyyənləşdirmək

🇲🇽 identificar

Word origin

The word 'identify' originated from the late Middle English word 'identifien', from Old French 'identifier', from late Latin 'identificare', from Latin 'idem' meaning 'same' and 'facere' meaning 'make'. The term has been used since the 16th century and has evolved to encompass various meanings related to establishing or recognizing identity.