identifyverb [ T ]
uk/aɪˈden.tɪ.faɪ/us/aɪˈden.t̬ə.faɪ/B2 to recognize someone or something and say or prove who or what that person or thing is:
Even the smallest baby can identify its mother by her voice.
The gunman in Wednesday's attack has been identified as Lee Giggs, an unemployed truck driver.
The police officer identified himself (= gave his name or proved who he was) and asked for our help.
B2 to recognize a problem, need, fact, etc. and to show that it exists:
The research will be used to identify training needs.
You need to identify your priorities.
More examples
- A robin is easy to identify because of its red breast.
- After she had identified the body of her husband, the police asked her to collect his personal effects.
- Aircraft are required by law to carry special electronic devices, called transponders, so that they can be identified.
- The press has identified several people they think are likely to be appointed to government posts in the autumn.
- How many different trees can you identify?
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Identifying
- ascribe sth to sb
- biometric
- character recognition
- color-coded
- colour-coded
- distinguishing
- dog tag
- id
- ID card
- identifiable
- identification
- paper
- passport
- pick
- separate the sheep from the goats idiom
- sheep
- tag
- tell
- tell sth/sb apart
- traceable
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Phrasal verb(s)
identify with sb
identify sb/sth with sth