popularize

verb

pop·​u·​lar·​ize ˈpä-pyə-lə-ˌrīz 

popularized; popularizing

intransitive verb

: to cater to popular taste

transitive verb

: to make popular: such as

a

: to cause to be liked or esteemed

a sitcom that popularized the phrase

b

: to present in generally understandable or interesting form

a popularized version of American history

popularization

ˌpä-pyə-lə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

popularizer

ˈpä-pyə-lə-ˌrī-zər 

noun

Examples of popularize in a Sentence

a phrase that was popularized by its use in a hit TV show

Dream analysis was popularized by Sigmund Freud.

The book presents a popularized version of American history.

Recent Examples on the Web

Gotham City has been popularized by Batman, the superhero comic book launched in 1939 that spawned an IP empire of TV, cinematic and video-game properties. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Dec. 2025

The challenge, known as Dry January, was popularized by Alcohol Change UK in 2013, and saw more than 200,000 people sign up in 2025. —Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025

It was popularized by 17-year-old basketball standout Taylen Kinney. —Roger J. Kreuz, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2025

Over the next few decades, black became integrated into everyday wardrobes, especially as Coco Chanel popularized the Little Black Dress. —Shelby Wax, Vogue, 29 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from French populariser "to present in a favorable light, make popular," from populaire popular + -iser -ize

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for popularize

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

Kids Definition

popularize

verb

pop·​u·​lar·​ize ˈpäp-yə-lə-ˌrīz 

popularized; popularizing

: to make popular

popularization

ˌpäp-yə-lə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

popularizer

ˈpäp-yə-lə-ˌrī-zər 

noun