naturalize

verb

nat·​u·​ral·​ize ˈna-ch(ə-)rə-ˌlīz 

naturalized; naturalizing

transitive verb

1

: to confer the rights of a national on

especially : to admit to citizenship

2

: to introduce into common use or into the vernacular

3

: to bring into conformity with nature

4

: to cause (something, such as a plant) to become established as if native

intransitive verb

: to become established as if native

Examples of naturalize in a Sentence

The government refused to naturalize them without documentation.

naturalized citizens of the U.S.

Several Asian fish have become naturalized in these lakes.

Before you naturalize bulbs in your lawn, fertilize well.

These daisies naturalize well in the Pacific Northwest.

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite their growing numbers, Venezuelans remain among the least likely immigrant groups to be naturalized U.S. citizens. —Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 31 July 2025

The landmark amendment guaranteed citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., even former slaves. —Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025

Federally deputizing and distracting 700+ local law enforcement agencies in political service to Trump’s war on immigrants and naturalized U.S. citizens is a horribly misguided idea for at least two hugely important reasons. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 July 2025

Trump made clear during Tuesday’s tour that naturalized U.S. citizens — who live in so many communities in Central Florida — may be next to face detention and deportation. —Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for naturalize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

naturalize

verb

nat·​u·​ral·​ize ˈnach-(ə-)rə-ˌlīz 

naturalized; naturalizing

1

: to introduce into common use

naturalize a foreign word

2

: to become or cause to become established as if native

naturalized weeds

3

: to give the rights and privileges of citizenship to

naturalize a foreign-born person

Legal Definition

naturalize

transitive verb

nat·​u·​ral·​ize ˈna-chə-rə-ˌlīz 

naturalized; naturalizing

: to admit (a person) to citizenship

naturalization

ˌna-chə-rə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun