identify
verb
iden·ti·fy
| \ ī-ˈden-tə-ˌfī
, ə-\
, ə-\
identified;
identifying
Definition of identify
1a
: to establish the identity of
b
: to determine the taxonomic position of (a biological specimen)
2a
: to conceive as united (as in spirit, outlook, or principle)
groups that are identified with conservation
b
: to cause to be or become identical
1
: to practice psychological identification
identify with the hero of a novel
2
: to be or become the same
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Other Words from identify
identifiable
\ ī-ˌden-tə-ˈfī-ə-bəl
, ə- \
adjective
, ə- \
adjective
identifiably
\ ī-ˌden-tə-ˈfī-ə-blē
, ə- \
adverb
, ə- \
adverb
Synonyms for identify
Synonyms
distinguish, finger, ID, pinpoint, single (out)
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Examples of identify in a Sentence
She identified the dog as her lost pet.
He was able to correctly identify the mushroom.
The witness positively identified the suspect in the crime.
The corpse was identified on the basis of dental records.
They could not identify the source of the quotation.
They had no difficulty in identifying the problem.
We began by identifying what we needed for the job.
We need to identify the causes of unemployment.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Others identify the lenders by the colours of their collectors’ shirts. — The Economist, "Microfinance is driving many Sri Lankan borrowers to despair," 17 Aug. 2019 In a statement, Boston police identified the suspect as Semaj Leary. — Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, "Chelsea man arrested after foot chase in Jamaica Plain; police find loaded gun in fanny pack," 15 Aug. 2019 Investigators could identify no legitimate source of income for the money. — Sarah Schweitzer, The Atlantic, "The Lunch Ladies of New Canaan," 15 Aug. 2019 The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim has Christopher Bakari Moore. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "Birmingham 18-year-old killed in rollover crash on Lakeshore Parkway," 15 Aug. 2019 The Crossover identifies premier rookie-scale extension candidates before October's deadline. — Michael Shapiro, SI.com, "Rookie-Scale Extension Watch: Will Pascal Siakam Land a Big Payday?," 15 Aug. 2019 Houston police identified a person found dead last month along the Katy Freeway as a 22-year-old transgender woman, who died from multiple puncture wounds and lacerations. — Julian Gill, Houston Chronicle, "Identity released of transgender woman found dead along Katy Freeway in Houston," 15 Aug. 2019 At the news conference, Chief Burns identified the toddler and said heat was a possible factor in his death, though authorities are still awaiting the results of his autopsy. — Laura Barcella, PEOPLE.com, "Kansas Boy, 2, Is Found Dead in Hot Car: ‘It's Going to Hurt for the Rest of My Life,’ Says Mom," 15 Aug. 2019 Columnists Kent Somers and Greg Moore identify three things to watch for during the Cardinals' preseason game against the Raiders. — Jeremy Cluff, azcentral, "NFL coach firing odds: Not much confidence for Kliff Kingsbury's Arizona Cardinals' tenure?," 15 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'identify.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for identify
identify
verb
English Language Learners Definition of identify
: to know and say who someone is or what something is
: to find out who someone is or what something is
: to show who someone is or what something is
See the full definition for identify in the English Language Learners Dictionary
identify
verb
iden·ti·fy
| \ ī-ˈden-tə-ˌfī
\
\
identified;
identifying
Kids Definition of identify
1
: to find out or show the identity of
… they ate … a mystery casserole that I could not identify.— Sharon Creech, Walk Two Moons
2
: to feel empathy for
I identified with her problem.
3
: to think of as joined or associated with
These groups are identified with conservation.
identify
verb
iden·ti·fy
| \ ī-ˈdent-ə-ˌfī, ə-
\
\
identified;
identifying
Medical Definition of identify
: to determine the taxonomic position of (a biological specimen)
: to undergo or experience psychological identification
identify with the hero of a novel
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