-ize

verb suffix

1

a(1)

: cause to be or conform to or resemble

systemize

Americanize

: cause to be formed into

unionize

(2)

: subject to a (specified) action

plagiarize

(3)

: impregnate or treat or combine with

aluminize

b

: treat like

idolize

c

: treat according to the method of

bowdlerize

2

a

: become : become like

crystallize

b

: be productive in or of

hypothesize

: engage in a (specified) activity

philosophize

c

: adopt or spread the manner of activity or the teaching of

Platonize

Adding -Ize to a Noun or Adjective: Usage Guide

The suffix -ize has been productive in English since the time of Thomas Nashe (1567–1601), who claimed credit for introducing it into English to remedy the surplus of monosyllabic words. Almost any noun or adjective can be made into a verb by adding -ize

hospitalize

familiarize

; many technical terms are coined this way

oxidize

as well as verbs of ethnic derivation

Americanize

and verbs derived from proper names.

bowdlerize

mesmerize

Nashe noted in 1591 that his -ize coinages were being criticized, and to this day new words ending in -ize

finalize

prioritize

are sure to draw critical fire.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French -iser, from Late Latin -izare, from Greek -izein

Kids Definition

-ize

verb suffix

ˌīz

1

: cause to be or conform to or resemble

Americanize

: form or cause to be formed into

crystallize

unionize

2

a

: subject to a specified action

satirize

b

: saturate, treat, or combine with

oxidize

macadamize

3

: treat like

idolize

4

: engage in a (specified) activity

philosophize

Etymology

derived from Greek -izein (verb suffix)