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

Kardashian’s hair was styled in a Jackie O-esque beehive with angular shaping, a style popularized in the ’60s when Kennedy was the First Lady. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026

But to be clear, Zucker and his company didn’t invent, or even popularize, breaking. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Soapy, salacious and steamy romance stories might have popularized the microdrama format globally, but the first episode of The Agency positions the series as an office comedy with quick cuts and wink-wink lines and visuals. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

Months later, the Renault Espace perfected and popularized the formula. — New Atlas, 13 Oct. 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