Recognize Meaning
Recognize Definition & Usage
To identify someone or something seen before.
Examples
- "I immediately recognized her as soon as she walked into the room."
- "After years of separation, he could still recognize his childhood friend."
- "She didn’t recognize the city after all the changes that had occurred."
- "The computer system failed to recognize my fingerprint."
- "Do you recognize this song? It's from that movie we watched last year."
To acknowledge or give credit to someone or something, often publicly or officially.
Examples
- "The company recognized her outstanding contribution to the project."
- "The award committee will recognize his achievements in science."
- "I’d like to recognize all the volunteers who helped organize the event."
- "She was recognized for her dedication to improving the community."
- "It's important to recognize the efforts of the team in completing the task."
To come to understand or become aware of something, often as a sudden realization.
Examples
- "I didn’t recognize the importance of this lesson until much later."
- "After hearing his side of the story, she recognized the truth of his words."
- "He recognized the difficulty of the task after trying it himself."
- "She recognized the potential risks of the project too late."
- "I recognize that this is a challenging situation, but we must proceed carefully."
Cultural Context
The word 'recognize' has roots in the Latin 'recognoscere', meaning to know again or acknowledge. It is commonly used in both personal and professional contexts to express identification, acknowledgment, or realization. In a cultural context, recognizing someone can carry significant weight, as it often conveys respect, acknowledgment, or validation, especially in social and professional settings.
The Forgotten Friend
Story
The Forgotten Friend
Claire had always been the one to remember. It was her gift, her ability to recognize faces, places, and moments from the past. She hadn't seen Lisa in over a decade, but as soon as the door of the café opened and the bell chimed, she recognized her. Lisa hadn’t changed much, though her eyes seemed more tired, her smile a bit less carefree. Claire felt a rush of emotion. She stood up and waved, unsure of what to say. 'Lisa! I can’t believe it’s really you!' Claire said, the words tumbling out before she had time to think. Lisa smiled faintly and walked toward the table, looking around as though unsure if she was in the right place. 'It’s been too long,' she said. 'I barely recognized you!' The two women sat down, and after a few awkward moments, the conversation flowed naturally. They talked about their lives, their successes, and their struggles. Claire, a successful businesswoman now, couldn’t help but recognize how much Lisa had changed. The years had not been kind to her childhood friend. 'You know, Claire,' Lisa said, looking down at her coffee, 'I’ve been thinking about everything I missed out on, all the chances I didn’t take. I didn’t recognize how good things were until they were gone.' Claire nodded. 'I recognize that feeling. It’s like you’re always chasing something, but you never realize you had it all along.' As they continued talking, Claire realized something: despite the time, despite the distance, they had both changed and yet, somehow, remained the same. The recognition of their friendship was stronger than ever. The night ended with a hug, a promise to stay in touch, and a recognition that the years apart hadn’t erased the bond they shared.
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