Ask Difference

Define vs. Identify — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 6, 2024
Define focuses on explaining the meaning of terms or concepts, whereas Identify involves recognizing or establishing what something is or who someone is.
Define vs. Identify — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Define and Identify

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Key Differences

Define involves stating the meaning of a word, phrase, or symbol, clarifying its nature and boundaries. Identify, on the other hand, is about recognizing or distinguishing something or someone as being a particular entity.
While defining focuses on the conceptual understanding of terms, identifying is more about practical recognition and categorization. Defining "justice" might involve discussing its principles of fairness and moral righteousness, whereas identifying instances of justice involves recognizing where these principles are applied or upheld in real scenarios.
Define aims to give a clear, often concise, explanation that encapsulates the essence of a concept, making it understandable within a certain context. Identifying, in contrast, requires observational skills, knowledge of characteristics, and sometimes the use of specific methodologies or tools.

Comparison Chart

Primary Focus

Explaining the meaning of terms or concepts.
Recognizing or establishing what something is.

Method

Description or enumeration.
Comparison with known entities or criteria.
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Context

Academic, professional, everyday communication.
Practical fields like biology, law enforcement.

Skills Required

Conceptual understanding, clarity in explanation.
Observational skills, knowledge of specific criteria.

Outcome

Conceptual clarity and understanding.
Recognition or categorization of entities.

Compare with Definitions

Define

To state the precise meaning of (a word or phrase).
Dictionaries define words so that people can understand them.

Identify

To establish or indicate who or what (someone or something) is.
The witness could not identify the suspect.

Define

To describe exactly the nature, scope, or meaning of.
The role of the teacher is defined as someone who facilitates learning.

Identify

To diagnose or recognize (a disease, condition, etc.).
The doctor was able to identify the illness as chickenpox.

Define

To establish the essence or nature of something by a precise statement.
The speech aimed to define the party's future direction.

Identify

To recognize or distinguish (especially something considered significant).
Identify trends in the data can help predict future events.

Define

To mark out the boundary or limits of.
Boundaries of the city park are defined by a fence.

Identify

To associate (someone) closely with; regard (someone) as having strong links with.
She identifies herself as a libertarian.

Define

To specify distinctly.
The contract defines the responsibilities of each party.

Identify

To make identical; equate.
The movie's plot identifies the hero's journey with a quest for self-discovery.

Define

State or describe exactly the nature, scope, or meaning of
The contract will seek to define the client's obligations

Identify

To establish or recognize the identity of; ascertain as a certain person or thing
Can you identify what kind of plane that is? I identified the man at the next table as a famous actor.

Define

Mark out the boundary or limits of
The river defines the park's boundary

Identify

(Biology) To determine the taxonomic classification of (an organism).

Define

To state the precise meaning of (a word or sense of a word, for example).

Identify

To ascertain as having a certain characteristic or feature
Job candidates who are identified as overqualified.
Children who have been identified with hearing loss.

Define

To describe the nature or basic qualities of; explain
Define the properties of a new drug.
A study that defines people according to their median incomes.

Identify

To consider as identical or united; equate
The Greek god Ares is identified with the Roman god Mars.

Define

To make clear the outline or form of; delineate
Gentle hills that were defined against the sky.

Identify

To associate or affiliate closely with
Writers who are identified with modernism.

Define

To specify distinctly
Define the weapons to be used in limited warfare.

Identify

To consider oneself as sharing certain characteristics or attitudes as another
She identifies strongly with her grandmother.

Define

To give form or meaning to
"For him, a life is defined by action" (Jay Parini).

Identify

To associate oneself with or admire something, such as a set of ideas
A language learner who identifies with a new culture.

Define

To make or write a definition.

Identify

(transitive) To establish the identity of someone or something.
It was hard to identify the shoplifter because the CCTV records didn't have a clear image.

Define

To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly.
The defining power of an optical instrument

Identify

(transitive) To disclose the identity of someone.
The Associated Press will not identify the suspect of the crime because he is a juvenile.

Define

(obsolete) To settle, decide an argument etc.

Identify

To establish the taxonomic classification of an organism.

Define

To express the essential nature of something.
I define myself as a techno-anarchist.
Your past mistakes do not define who you are.

Identify

(transitive) To equate or make the same; to unite or combine into one.

Define

To state the meaning of a word, phrase, sign, or symbol.
The textbook defined speed as velocity divided by time.

Identify

(reflexive) To have a strong affinity with; to feel oneself to be modelled on or connected to.

Define

To describe, explain, or make definite and clear; used to request the listener or other person to elaborate or explain more clearly his or her intended meaning of a word or expression.
Person 1: Is she good at math?
Person 2: Define "good." If you mean if she is faster than the average middle schooler at multiplication, then yes. If you mean if she is able to do multivariable calculus, then no.

Identify

(intransitive) To associate oneself with some group; to feel, or believe one feels, the same way.

Define

To demark sharply the outlines or limits of an area or concept.
To define the legal boundaries of a property

Identify

To claim an identity; to describe oneself as a member of a group; to assert the use of a particular term to describe oneself.

Define

(mathematics) To establish the referent of a term or notation.

Identify

To make to be the same; to unite or combine in such a manner as to make one; to treat as being one or having the same purpose or effect; to consider as the same in any relation.
Every precaution is taken to identify the interests of the people and of the rulers.
Let us identify, let us incorporate ourselves with the people.

Define

(programming) A kind of macro in source code that replaces one text string with another wherever it occurs.

Identify

To establish the identity of; to prove to be the same with something described, claimed, or asserted; as, to identify stolen property.

Define

To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end.

Identify

To become the same; to coalesce in interest, purpose, use, effect, etc.

Define

To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or country.

Identify

To coalesce in interest, purpose, use, effect, etc.; to associate oneself in name, goals, or feelings; usually used with with; as, he identified with the grief she felt at her father's death.
An enlightened self-interest, which, when well understood, they tell us will identify with an interest more enlarged and public.

Define

To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the defining power of an optical instrument.
Rings . . . very distinct and well defined.

Identify

Recognize as being; establish the identity of someone or something;
She identified the man on the 'wanted' poster

Define

To determine the precise signification of; to fix the meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to expound or interpret; as, to define a word, a phrase, or a scientific term.
They define virtue to be life ordered according to nature.

Identify

Give the name or identifying characteristics of; refer to by name or some other identifying characteristic property;
Many senators were named in connection with the scandal
The almanac identifies the auspicious months

Define

To determine; to decide.

Identify

Consider (oneself) as similar to somebody else;
He identified with the refugees

Define

Give a definition for the meaning of a word;
Define `sadness'

Identify

Identify as in botany or biology, for example

Define

Determine the essential quality of

Identify

Consider to be equal or the same;
He identified his brother as one of the fugitives

Define

Determine the nature of;
What defines a good wine?

Define

Delineate the form or outline of;
The tree was clearly defined by the light
The camera could define the smallest object

Common Curiosities

What does it mean to define something?

To define something means to explain its meaning, nature, or scope clearly and precisely.

How does context affect the process of defining or identifying?

Context shapes how a term is defined by providing relevant parameters, and it guides what characteristics are considered when identifying something.

How do you identify something?

You identify something by recognizing it, distinguishing it from others, or establishing what it is based on observation or comparison.

Why is identifying important?

Identifying is crucial for recognizing and categorizing the world around us, allowing for appropriate responses or actions.

Can defining and identifying overlap?

Yes, they can overlap when the process of defining involves categorization that requires identification.

How does identifying affect interactions with the environment?

Identifying helps us navigate and interact with our environment more effectively by recognizing and categorizing elements within it.

Is defining more about words and identifying more about objects?

Yes, generally, defining is focused on explaining words or concepts, while identifying is about recognizing objects or entities.

Why is defining important?

Defining is important for clear communication, ensuring everyone understands exactly what is meant by specific terms or phrases.

How does defining affect our understanding of concepts?

Defining clarifies concepts, allowing for deeper understanding and more effective communication.

What skills are necessary for defining?

Clear expression, conceptual understanding, and precision in language are key skills for defining.

Can the same methods be used for both defining and identifying?

Some methods, like comparison, can be used in both processes, but the focus and objectives differ.

Is it possible to incorrectly define or identify?

Yes, misunderstandings, lack of information, or biases can lead to incorrect definitions or identifications.

What skills are necessary for identifying?

Observational skills, knowledge of specific criteria, and sometimes technical skills are necessary for identifying.

Can technology aid in the process of defining or identifying?

Yes, technology can aid both processes through tools like dictionaries and search engines for defining, and databases and recognition software for identifying.

How does culture influence the way we define or identify?

Culture influences the context and criteria we use, shaping our definitions and the way we recognize and categorize entities.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat

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