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

As popularized by streamer Clavicular, the movement approaches attractiveness like an engineering problem. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026

These type of chili buns were likely popularized in Kentucky pool halls serving the working class and, by the 1960s, were adopted by ice cream shops and drive-ins, according to the Southern Foodways Alliance. — Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 July 2026

These chili buns were likely popularized in Kentucky pool halls serving the working class and, by the 1960s, were adopted by ice cream shops and drive-ins, according to the Southern Foodways Alliance. — Usa Today Network, USA Today, 15 July 2026

Since the early ’80s, Blade has done more than any other radio host in Southern California to popularize new wave rock in Southern California. — Peter Larsen, Daily News, 14 July 2026

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