Recommend Definition & Meaning

American

British

Usage

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms recommend American [rek-uh-mend] / ˌrɛk əˈmɛnd /

verb (used with object)

1. to present as worthy of confidence, acceptance, use, etc.; commend; mention favorably.

   to recommend an applicant for a job; to recommend a book.

   Synonyms: condone, approve Antonyms: condemn

2. to represent or urge as advisable or expedient.

   to recommend caution.

3. to advise, as an alternative; suggest (a choice, course of action, etc.) as appropriate, beneficial, or the like.

   He recommended the blue-plate special. The doctor recommended special exercises for her.

   Synonyms: counsel

4. to make desirable or attractive.

   a plan that has very little to recommend it.

verb (used without object)

1. to make a recommendation.

noun

1. Informal. a recommendation.

recommend British / ˌrɛkəˈmɛnd /

verb

1. (may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to advise as the best course or choice; counsel

   to recommend prudence

2. to praise or commend

   to recommend a new book

3. to make attractive or advisable

   the trip has little to recommend it

4. archaic to entrust (a person or thing) to someone else's care; commend

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

Spelling tips for recommend The word recommend is hard to spell because it is tricky to know whether the c, the m, and/or the n is doubled. How to spell recommend: The easiest way to remember how to spell recommend is to break it into three parts: re - com - mend. You can keep these three sections in mind with the sentence: "I recommend that you rely commonly on mending."

Other Word Forms

• prerecommend verb (used with object)
• recommendable adjective
• recommender noun
• unrecommendable adjective
• unrecommended adjective
• well-recommended adjective

Etymology

Origin of recommend

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English recommenden, from Medieval Latin recommendāre; equivalent to re- + commend

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The FDA recommends disposing of all food items potentially contaminated with the virus.

From Los Angeles Times

Mendy Minjarez, a University of Washington psychologist who oversees an autism treatment program for Medicaid patients at Seattle Children’s Hospital, said she never recommends 40-hour weeks, the most many states will cover.

From The Wall Street Journal

I have an audiobook Luna recommended all cued up in case I get bored and a playlist from Avery ready to go, but for my first lap around the trail, I want quiet.

From Literature

Colorectal cancer screening is widely recommended for most people between the ages of 45 and 75, which reduces reliance on noticing blood in stool as the first sign of trouble.

From Science Daily

Twelve OpenAI employees then reportedly flagged the posts as "indicating an imminent risk of serious harm to others" and recommended Canadian law enforcement was informed, the lawsuit alleges.

From BBC

Related Words

• advocate
• back
• confirm
• endorse
• favor
• justify
• praise
• prescribe
• propose
• suggest
• uphold
• urge

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.