Identified

aɪˈdentɪfaɪd

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To recognize someone or something and confirm their identity or qualities.

aɪˈdentɪfaɪd

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To recognize or establish who or what someone or something is.

The witnesses identified the robber from a lineup.

💡 Simply: It's like when you find out who someone really is or what something is. Like, if you see a photo and you can IDENTIFY your friend in it, you know it's them.

👶 For kids: To know who someone is or what something is.

More Examples

2

The researchers identified the cause of the disease.

3

He identified himself as the project leader.

How It's Used

Law Enforcement

"The police identified the suspect through fingerprints."

Science

"Scientists identified a new species of plant in the rainforest."

Everyday Conversation

"She identified her favorite book by its cover."

2

To feel a close connection with or understand someone's feelings or experiences; to consider someone to be part of a group.

aɪˈdentɪfaɪd

verbneutralmedium
Emotion

To associate someone or something closely with or connect with.

She identified with the character's sense of isolation.

💡 Simply: It’s like when you can really relate to someone or something, and you feel like you understand them. Like, if you see a character in a movie who feels the same way as you, you might say you IDENTIFY with them.

👶 For kids: To feel like you understand or are like someone or something.

More Examples

2

He identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

3

Many readers identified with the themes in the novel.

How It's Used

Psychology

"The patient identified with the hero in the story."

Social Issues

"Many people identify with the struggles of the less fortunate."

Tip:IDENTIFYING with someone means you see yourself in them or feel like you belong with them.

Idioms & expressions

self-identified

Identifying yourself or belonging to a specific group or category.

"She is a self-identified vegan."

identify with

To feel sympathy or empathy for someone or something; to be able to relate to someone's experiences.

"I can really identify with the protagonist's struggles in the book."

From Middle French identifier, from Medieval Latin identificare, from Latin idem ('the same') + facere ('to make').

The verb 'identify' has been used since the 17th century. Early usage focused on proving the sameness of something or someone.

Memory tip

Think of a detective: they need to IDENTIFY the culprit.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"idem (the same) + facere (to make)"

identify the causeidentify the problemidentify the suspectself-identifiedidentify with

Common misspellings

identifedindentifiedidentifieidentifide

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written