To recommend means to suggest something you think is good or worth trying. When your friend recommends a book, she's telling you, “I think you'll really like this.” When a teacher recommends a student for an award, he's saying, “This person deserves recognition.”

The word carries weight because it involves your judgment and reputation. If you recommend a terrible movie to friends, they might not trust your suggestions next time. When doctors recommend a treatment, patients rely on their expertise and experience. A recommendation means actively endorsing something and putting your name behind it.

You'll often see recommendations in written form too. A coach might write a letter of recommendation for a student applying to a special program, explaining why that student would be perfect for it. Websites show product recommendations based on what you've liked before.

When someone asks, “What do you recommend?” they're really asking, “What do you trust enough to put your name on?”