Americanize

verb

Amer·​i·​can·​ize ə-ˈmer-ə-kə-ˌnīz 

-ˈmər-,

-ˈme-rə-

Americanized; Americanizing

transitive verb

1

: to cause to acquire or conform to American characteristics

2

: to bring (something, such as an area) under the political, cultural, or commercial influence of the U.S.

intransitive verb

: to acquire or conform to American traits

Examples of Americanize in a Sentence

The editors of the book decided to Americanize the spelling.

Recent Examples on the Web

The collapse of the Soviet state over the next decade brought a fresh campaign to Americanize Russia by cajoling it to build its post-Communist future around the beacons of democracy and capitalism. —Eric Jason Martin Tanya Pérez Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025

In the 1920s, state lawmakers tried to Americanize Louisiana by requiring that English be the only language spoken in public schools. —Aubri Juhasz, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025

In the late 19th century, U.S. schools hosted Flag Day programs in an effort to Americanize immigrant children. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 13 June 2024

Such resistance Americanizes the costs of the war, as U.S. commanders assert increasing control over operations to deal with the growing threats. —James F. Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2015

Die-hard fans have already struggled with the way Liberty Media and Drive to Survive appeared to be Americanizing the sport, turning it into a reality show focused more on drama than racing. —David Hill, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2024

The Horvat family fled West — Mr. Hull, who had blonde hair and blue eyes, smuggled jewelry in his clothing, his family said — and eventually settled in East Orange, New Jersey, where a relative encouraged them to Americanize their names. —Daniel E. Slotnik, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Apr. 2023

Seeing Muslims Americanize their names or shave their beards inspired her toward social activism. —Jonathan M. Pitts, baltimoresun.com, 9 Sep. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for Americanize

• contextualize
• industrialize
• materialise
• materialize
• memorialize
• microenterprise
• overemphasize
• particularize
• revolutionise
• revolutionize
• actualize
• antagonize

Kids Definition

Americanize

verb

Amer·​i·​can·​ize ə-ˈmer-ə-kə-ˌnīz 

Americanized; Americanizing

: to make or become American (as in customs, habits, dress, or speech)

Americanization

ə-ˌmer-ə-kə-nə-ˈzā-shən

noun