Recognize vs. Recognise
“Recognize” and “recognise” are regional spelling variants. Cambridge presents recognize and notes that UK English usually uses recognise.
Use “recognize” in US English; “recognise” is the usual UK spelling in Cambridge, though style systems can differ.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| US spelling | recognize | Use the -ize form in ordinary US English. |
| usual UK spelling in the reviewed Cambridge entry | recognise | Use the -ise form when following that UK convention. |
| house style specifies a different convention | follow the house style consistently | Treat this as spelling convention, not a meaning difference. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Are you following ordinary US spelling conventions?
If yes: Use “recognize.”
If no: Use “recognise” under the reviewed UK convention, unless your house style specifies otherwise.
Caveat: This is a regional/style spelling choice; do not label the accepted form from another standard convention as universally incorrect.
Examples
The software can recognize several file types.
“Recognize” follows ordinary US spelling.
The software can recognise several file types.
“Recognise” follows the reviewed UK spelling convention.
Use one spelling convention consistently throughout the document.
The forms differ by spelling convention rather than meaning.
Further guidance
Core difference
Cambridge labels “recognise” as the usual UK variant under “recognize.”
Fast Test
Match the spelling to the regional or house style required by the document, then keep that choice consistent.
Variant Boundary
The wording “UK usually recognise” is a preference statement, not evidence that recognize can never occur in British English.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Recognize — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Recognize headword with UK usually recognise variant note