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

These platforms are also reportedly targeting college campuses with aggressive marketing, sponsoring college clubs and paying student influencers to popularize them with peers. — Emily Stack, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026

Another test, popularized on social media, asks someone to move from standing, to sitting cross-legged on the ground, and then back up to standing. — ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026

The flush doorhandles that Tesla popularized are featured on cars made by Tesla competitors like Xiaomi, Geely and others that also issued recalls in China on Friday. — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026

And for fall, the romantic boho look popularized by Jane Birkin and Stevie Nicks comes full circle. — Minty Mellon, Vogue, 21 Aug. 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