socialize

1 of 2

verb

so·​cial·​ize ˈsō-shə-ˌlīz 

socialized; socializing

transitive verb

1

: to make social

especially : to fit or train for a social environment

2

a

: to constitute on a socialistic basis

socialize industry

b

: to adapt to social needs or uses

3

: to organize group participation in

socialize a recitation

intransitive verb

: to participate actively in a social group

socializer

ˈsō-shə-ˌlī-zər 

noun

socializer

2 of 2

noun

so·​cial·​iz·​er

variants also British socialiser

-zə(r)

plural -s

: one that socializes

Synonyms of socialize

Verb

• mingle
• mix
• associate

Examples of socialize in a Sentence

Verb

She danced and socialized at the party.

he likes to socialize with his coworkers after work ends

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Long before fast-food counters and coffee shops became fixtures of American life, luncheonettes gave generations of Americans an inexpensive place to grab a meal and helped change where women could eat, work and socialize in public. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026

The cost of living is generally less expensive in Toronto, thanks in part to lower home prices, socialized healthcare and good public schools, local founders say. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

But mostly, Mahomes arrived and worked without socializing, instead left to his thoughts, with the World Cup to interrupt them. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026

But what if the longer wavelengths of the embers could both extend the hours of socializing without heavily impeding our sleep cycle? — Mike McRae 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1765, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for socialize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

socialize

verb

so·​cial·​ize ˈsō-shə-ˌlīz 

socialized; socializing

1

: to make social

especially : to make fit for a social environment

2

: to take part in social activities

socializing with friends after work

socialization

ˌsōsh-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

socializer

ˈsō-shə-ˌlī-zər 

noun

Medical Definition

socialize

transitive verb

so·​cial·​ize

variants also British socialise

ˈsō-shə-ˌlīz 

socialized also British socialised; socializing also British socialising

: to make social

especially : to fit or train for society or a social environment

children are socialized according to a given cultural pattern

—H. A. Murray & C. K. Kluckhohn