WordGarden.io

recognizable

C1
Fairly common

Pronunciation

UK

    US

    • /ˌrɛkəɡˈnaɪzəbəl/

    Meanings

    Adjective

    1. able to be identified from previous knowledge or experience

    Beyond the definition

    Something recognizable is easy to identify because you've seen it before, or it has distinct features. A famous landmark like the Eiffel Tower is instantly recognizable. So is your best friend's laugh!

    The key here isn't just seeing something, but having a mental picture of it already. If you meet someone who looks remarkably like your cousin, their face might feel recognizable, even if you don't know their name. A skilled artist can make even simple shapes recognizable as real-world objects. Think about a logo, a voice, or a hairstyle that stands out right away.

    Examples

    1. 1

      Old photo

      Even in an old school photo, Maya is still recognizable because of her big smile.

    2. 2

      Storm damage

      After the storm, the beach was barely recognizable.

      • Phrasebarely recognizable

        changed so much that it is hard to recognize

    3. 3

      Music

      The tune is instantly recognizable from the first few notes.

    4. 4

      Neighborhood change

      The neighborhood has changed a lot, but the main square is still recognizable.

    More examples
    1. 5

      Writing style

      Her writing is recognizable even when she uses a different pen name.

    2. 6

      Logo design

      The company kept the original colors so the new logo would still be recognizable to customers.

    See also

    Similar

    Shades of meaning

    Contrast

    Used with (collocations)

    • recognizable face
    • instantly recognizable
    • barely recognizable
    • recognizable by

    Word family

    Explore

    Forms and spellings

    1 form open this card.

    Main spelling

    • recognizableadjective