identify

verb

iden·​ti·​fy ī-ˈden-tə-ˌfī 

ə-

identified; identifying; identifies

transitive verb

1

a

: to perceive or state the identity of (someone or something)

"It's the young man!" I thought, feeling my heart shoot as I identified him.

—Charlies Dickens

Mr. Mace identified the phial handed him by Counsel as that sold by him to "Mr. Inglethorp."

—Agatha Christie

Hitters say the spitball is easily identified because, while it has the speed of a fastball, it scarcely rotates.

—Ron Fimrite

b(1)

: to ascertain the identity of (someone or something that is unfamiliar or unknown)

He was able to quickly identify the problem.

Police have identified a person of interest.

Dr. McGovern explains that "identifying the cause of the disease is a breakthrough. …"

—The Chronicle of the Horse

(2)

: to determine the taxonomic position or category of (a biological specimen)

We were able to identify the plant as belonging to the nightshade family.

2

a

: to conceive as united (as in spirit, outlook, or principle)

These groups are identified with conservation.

b

: to cause to be or become identical

identified her interests with theirs

Sometimes people identify success with money, but for me it's giving of yourself.

—Lorna E. Barnes

In some strange way the boat became identified with himself, and just as it would have been useless for him to get up and steer the boat, so was it useless for him to struggle any longer with the irresistible force of his own feelings.

—Virginia Woolf

intransitive verb

1

: to feel a sense of unity (as of interests, purpose, or effect) and close emotional association : to engage in psychological identification

Many readers identify with the hero of a novel.

I could identify with the anxiety she was experiencing.

2

: to have or assert an identity of a specified kind

Of the high school students who participated, 77% identified as female, 20% identified as male, 2% identified as nonbinary …

—Elizabeth Beyer

3

archaic : to be or become the same

… new channels of communication will be opened between the States, the lines of separation will disappear, their interests will be identified, and their union cemented by new and indissoluble bonds.

—Thomas Jefferson

Synonyms

• distinguish
• finger
• ID
• pinpoint
• single (out)

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

The victim’s family identified her as Angelina Camillia Gonzales. California Teenage cheerleader stabbed to death in Azusa days before Christmas. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024

The report also identified seventeen areas in the Nuba Mountains and the northern and southern areas of Darfur that are at risk of famine, as well as some areas in the capital of Khartoum and the Gezira province may be experiencing famine-like conditions. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024

The filing from Alex Spiro, Adams’ lead defense attorney, identified the witness by initials. —Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 24 Dec. 2024

In the same note, Roth identified its top stock picks for 2025, saying these names offer potential upside of anywhere from 9% to 183% through this time next year. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 24 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1746, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing identify

• identify oneself
• identify with

Kids Definition

identify

verb

iden·​ti·​fy ī-ˈdent-ə-ˌfī 

ə-ˈdent-

identified; identifying

1

: to think of as united (as in spirit or principle)

groups identified with conservation

2

: to find out or show the identity of

identified the dog as her lost pet

3

: to think of oneself as having the same problems and feelings as someone else

identify with a character in a story

identifiable

-ˌfī-ə-bəl 

adjective

identifiably

-blē 

adverb

identifier

-ˌfī(-ə)r

noun

Medical Definition

identify

verb

iden·​ti·​fy ī-ˈdent-ə-ˌfī, ə- 

identified; identifying

transitive verb

: to determine the taxonomic position of (a biological specimen)

intransitive verb

: to undergo or experience psychological identification

identify with the hero of a novel

Legal Definition

identify

transitive verb

iden·​ti·​fy

identified; identifying

1

: to consider as united or associated (as in interests or principles)

can ask leading questions of a witness who is identified with an adverse party

2

: to establish the identity of

identifying the suspect

3

: to specify or designate (goods) as the object of a contract

—used in the phrase identify to the contract

the disputed beans were goods identified to the contract

Note: Under the Uniform Commercial Code, once goods are identified to a contract, the buyer has a special property interest and an insurable interest in the goods. This gives the buyer the right to seek damages and other relief. This identification can be done at any time and in any manner agreed to by the parties or as otherwise specified in the U.C.C.

identifiable adjective

identification noun