memorize

verb

mem·​o·​rize ˈme-mə-ˌrīz 

memorized; memorizing

transitive verb

: to commit to memory : learn by heart

actors memorizing their lines

memorizable

ˌme-mə-ˈrī-zə-bəl 

adjective

memorizer noun

Synonyms of memorize

• learn
• study

Examples of memorize in a Sentence

an actress memorizing her lines

everyone has to memorize a poem for next week's class

Recent Examples on the Web

Children sometimes memorize their favorite board books, an easy enough task since most of them have fewer than five hundred words. — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 7 July 2026

Between 1990 and 2014, Argentina lost World Cup finals, collapsed in group stages, and stalled repeatedly at the quarterfinals, accumulating wounds that the country chose to memorize rather than forget. — Luis E. Romero, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

The Bible’s message was seen as not only informative but salvific, and the monastic who memorized its words filled his or her soul with divine wisdom. — Literary Hub, 6 July 2026

Knowing the show is a heavy lift, Ross came into rehearsals with the script already memorized. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for memorize

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

Kids Definition

memorize

verb

mem·​o·​rize ˈmem-ə-ˌrīz 

memorized; memorizing

: to learn by heart

memorization

ˌmem-(ə-)rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun