To identify something means to recognize what it is or who it is. When a scientist identifies a species of bird, she determines which exact type of bird she's observing by examining its colors, size, and behavior. When you identify the author of a book, you figure out who wrote it.

Identification works by matching something unknown with something you already know. A detective might identify a suspect by comparing fingerprints found at a crime scene with fingerprints in a database. A botanist identifies plants by comparing their leaves, flowers, and stems to descriptions in field guides.

You can also identify with someone, which means you understand and share their feelings or experiences. When you read about a character who feels nervous before a big test, you might identify with that character because you've felt the same way. This kind of identification creates connection and empathy.

Sometimes people misuse identify when they mean find or locate. If you lose your backpack, you don't “identify” it when you spot it across the room, because you already knew what your backpack looked like. You simply find it. You would identify an unknown backpack by checking the name tag inside to see whose it is.