categorise
verb C2
Plain meaning
to put people or things into groups
Exam-register meaning
In formal or high-level texts, it is used to describe to put people or things into groups, often with a precise or specialised tone.
In context
naturalThe team tried to categorise the problem before it became serious.
examThe report argues that institutions should categorise ineffective practices through evidence-based reform.
Common collocations
categorise a proposalcategorise the issuecategorise in practice
Watch out
Do not use “categorise” with every object. Check the object that follows it and avoid using it when a simpler verb is more natural.
Word family
categoriseing (verb form)categoriseed (past/participle, where regular)