1establish or indicate who or what (someone or something) is:the judge ordered that the girl should not be identifiedthe men identified themselves as federal police
recognize or distinguish (especially something considered worthy of attention):a system that ensures that the pupil’s real needs are identified
2 (identify someone/thing with) associate someone or something closely with; regard as having strong links with:he was equivocal about being identified too closely with the peace movement
equate (someone or something) with:because of my country accent, people identified me with a homely farmer’s wife
[no object] (identify with) regard oneself as sharing the same characteristics or thinking as someone else:I liked Fromm and identified with him
