classify

verb

clas·​si·​fy ˈkla-sə-ˌfī 

classified; classifying

transitive verb

1

: to arrange in classes (see class entry 1 sense 3)

classifying books according to subject matter

2

: to consider (someone or something) as belonging to a particular group

The movie is classified as a comedy.

The vehicle is classified as a truck.

classifiable

ˌkla-sə-ˈfī-ə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms of classify

• rank
• distinguish
• categorize
• relegate
• group
• distribute
• type
• grade
• identify
• sort
• separate

Examples of classify in a Sentence

Students will be learning about the ways scientists classify animals.

The online system can classify books by subject.

Recent Examples on the Web

Near the epicenter, the agency estimated an intensity of VIII, classified as severe on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, which measures how strongly the ground shakes at individual locations. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Lucy’s always been a hard vocalist to classify, intensely emotive but largely separate from the monster-growl arms race. — H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026

How Doctors Diagnose and Treat It Health care providers use the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to classify trypanophobia as a specific phobia of the blood-injection-injury type. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026

The victim was initially classified as being in serious-to-critical condition. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably in part a back-formation from classification, in part from class entry 1 + -ify

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for classify

• abscissae
• adonai
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi

Kids Definition

classify

verb

clas·​si·​fy ˈklas-ə-ˌfī 

classified; classifying

: to arrange in or assign to classes

classify books by subjects

classifiable

-ˌfī-ə-bəl 

adjective

classifier

-ˌfī(-ə)r

noun

Medical Definition

classify

transitive verb

clas·​si·​fy ˈklas-ə-ˌfī 

classified; classifying

: to arrange in classes that have systematic relations usually founded on common properties

how would you classify these animals