Define vs. Identify — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Define and Identify
ADVERTISEMENT
Definitions
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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➦
To believe or assert that one belongs to a certain group or class
She identifies as a libertarian. He identifies as bisexual.
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 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➦
(obsolete) To settle, decide an argument etc.
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➦
To express the essential nature of something.
I define myself as a techno-anarchist.
Your past mistakes do not define who you are.
Identify➦
To establish the taxonomic classification of an organism.
Define➦
To state the meaning of a word, phrase, sign, or symbol.
The textbook defined speed as velocity divided by time.
Identify➦
(transitive) To equate or make the same; to unite or combine into one.
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.
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➦
(reflexive) To have a strong affinity with; to feel oneself to be modelled on or connected to.
Define➦
To demark sharply the outlines or limits of an area or concept.
To define the legal boundaries of a property
Identify➦
(intransitive) To associate oneself with some group; to feel, or believe one feels, the same way.
Define➦
(mathematics) To establish the referent of a term or notation.
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➦
(programming) A kind of macro in source code that replaces one text string with another wherever it occurs.
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➦
To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end.
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 determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or country.
Identify➦
To become the same; to coalesce in interest, purpose, use, effect, etc.
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➦
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 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➦
Recognize as being; establish the identity of someone or something;
She identified the man on the 'wanted' poster
Define➦
To determine; to decide.
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➦
Give a definition for the meaning of a word;
Define `sadness'
Identify➦
Consider (oneself) as similar to somebody else;
He identified with the refugees
Define➦
Determine the essential quality of
Identify➦
Conceive of as united or associated;
Sex activity is closely identified with the hypothalamus
Define➦
Determine the nature of;
What defines a good wine?
Identify➦
Identify as in botany or biology, for example
Define➦
Delineate the form or outline of;
The tree was clearly defined by the light
The camera could define the smallest object
Identify➦
Consider to be equal or the same;
He identified his brother as one of the fugitives
