How to pronounce identify
Say it like eye-DEN-tuh-fy. Identify has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DEN).
- eye
- DEN
- tuh
- fy
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Identify pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- eyeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- DENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- fyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of identify
American and British speakers say identify in essentially the same way: /aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪ/ in the US and /aɪˈdɛntɪˌfaɪ/ in the UK.
British respelling: eye-DEN-tih-fy.
What does identify mean?
- 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.”
- To disclose the identity of someone.“The Associated Press will not identify the suspect of the crime because he is a juvenile.”
- To establish the taxonomic classification of an organism.
Where does identify come from?
From French identifier, from Medieval Latin identicus + Latin faciō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying identify
How do you pronounce identify?
Say eye-DEN-tuh-fy. The American pronunciation is /aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪ/. In British English it is /aɪˈdɛntɪˌfaɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in identify?
Identify has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (DEN). Broken into parts: eye · DEN · tuh · fy.
Do Americans and Brits say identify the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /aɪˈdɛntəˌfaɪ/ and the British form is /aɪˈdɛntɪˌfaɪ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.