categorize

verb

cat·​e·​go·​rize ˈka-ti-gə-ˌrīz 

categorized; categorizing

transitive verb

: to put into a category : classify

Birds are categorized by type in this field manual.

categorization

ˌka-ti-gə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

categorizable

ˌka-ti-gə-ˈrī-zə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms of categorize

• classify
• rank
• distinguish

Examples of categorize in a Sentence

This software lets you categorize your photographs in many different ways.

Their opinions can be categorized as conservative.

Birds are categorized by type in this field guide.

Recent Examples on the Web

And, although Ormund has been described as the show’s new villain, Norton isn’t sure his character is so easy to categorize. — Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 31 July 2026

Clinical guidelines from the National Institutes of Health categorize alcohol withdrawal by the following key progression stages. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026

Today, there are over 30 varieties of guava grown in tropical climates throughout the world, mostly categorized into white or red guava types. — Su-Jit Lin, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2026

A number of mid-20th-century musicians, such as Diddley, are sometimes categorized as blues and rock or R&B artists because their recordings bridged several styles. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

see category

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for categorize

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

Kids Definition

categorize

verb

cat·​e·​go·​rize ˈkat-i-gə-ˌrīz 

categorized; categorizing

: to put into a category : classify

categorization

ˌkat-i-gə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun