commonize

transitive verb

com·​mon·​ize

ˈkäməˌnīz

variants also British commonise

commonized; commonizing; commonizes

: to make (something) common, standard, or universal

Because the book is considered to be so highbrow I wanted to "commonize" it a little bit. I didn't want to fall into the trap of being inaccessible.

—Kari Skogland, quoted in The Calgary (Alberta) Herald, 23 May 2008

We have to reuse and commonize what has worked and what has been well received by the customers.

—Birgit Behrendt, quoted in Automotive News Europe, 13 June 2005

The longer Public Michigan waits to reform the structure of government, to rationalize departments, to commonize retirement systems of public and school employees …, the tougher the future will be.

—Daniel Howes, The Detroit News, 29 May 2009

The eventual target is to commonize about 70 to 80 percent of the parts in the various Toyota vehicles that share a platform, Kato said.

—Hans Greimel, Automotive News, 29 Apr. 2013

Word History

Etymology

common entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Rhymes for commonize

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