Identifying something or someone is a critical concept in a variety of fields, from law enforcement to biology and computer science. Identification is vital for personal security, digital privacy, recordkeeping, and managing access to services or resources. The evolution of identification techniques, including biometric scans, has led to a growing interest in ensuring the accuracy and security of personal identifiers. Modern identity management systems use digital identifiers such as usernames, passwords, and two-factor authentication to ensure that individuals are correctly recognized across different platforms and services.
Word 'identify' in Other Languages
- identify in Assamese অসমীয়া
- identify in Bengali বাংলা
- identify in Bodo बड़ो
- identify in Dogri डोगरी
- identify in English
- identify in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
- identify in Hindi हिन्दी
- identify in Kannada ಕನ್ನಡ
- identify in Kashmiri कॉशुर
- identify in Konkani कोंकणी
- identify in Maithili মৈথিলী
- identify in Malayalam മലയാളം
- identify in Manipuri মৈতৈলোন্
- identify in Marathi मराठी
- identify in Nepali नेपाली
- identify in Oriya ଓଡ଼ିଆ
- identify in Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
- identify in Sanskrit संस्कृतम्
- identify in Santali
- identify in Sindhi سنڌي
- identify in Tamil தமிழ்
- identify in Telugu తెలుగు
- identify in Urdu اُردُو
Identify
Part of Speech
Verb
Pronunciation
/aɪˈdɛntɪfaɪ/
Definitions
- To recognize or be able to name someone or something.
- To establish or indicate who or what something is.
- To associate something with a particular person, group, or category.
Usage Examples
- "Can you identify the author of this book?"
- "She was able to identify the cause of the problem."
- "The police are trying to identify the suspect."
Etymology
From Latin "identificare," meaning "to make identical" or "to establish identity." The word evolved in English during the late 16th century to mean "to determine or recognize the identity of."
Synonyms
- Recognize
- Determine
- Distinguish
- Classify
- Pinpoint
Antonyms
- Confuse
- Misidentify
- Ignore
- Overlook
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | identificar | /identi.fiˈkaɾ/ |
| French | identifier | /idɑ̃tifiɛʁ/ |
| German | identifizieren | /aɪˈdɛntɪfaɪər/ |
| Italian | identificare | /identi.fiˈkaːɾe/ |
| Russian | определять | /apreˈdʲelʲatʲ/ |
| Chinese | 识别 | /shí bié/ |
| Hindi | पहचानना | /pahchānnā/ |
| Bengali | চিহ্নিত করা | /cinhita karā/ |
| Tamil | அறிகுறி காண்பிக்க | /aṟikuṟi kāṇpikka/ |
| Telugu | గుర్తించు | /gurtin̄cu/ |
| Kannada | ಅಳವಡಿಸು | /aḷavaḍisu/ |
| Malayalam | അറിയുക | /aṟiyuka/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- UK: /aɪˈdɛntɪfaɪ/
- US: /aɪˈdɛntɪfaɪ/
- Australia: /aɪˈdɛntɪfaɪ/
Historical Usage
The word "identify" has been in use since the 16th century and originally referred to the act of establishing the identity or oneness of something. Over time, its meaning broadened to encompass the idea of recognizing, distinguishing, and categorizing individuals or things.
Cultural Nuances
In different cultures, identifying individuals can be a process that involves various identifiers, such as physical features, names, or social roles. In modern times, identification has taken on new forms, including digital identity verification through biometrics and digital identification systems. Cultural practices around identity may vary widely, from family names and caste identities in India to the use of government-issued identification cards in many countries.