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

Elite sports popularized them through brands like NormaTec, now owned by Hyperice, before Therabody and other wellness players rebranded the category for consumers. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026

The bandage style was popularized in the 2000s and early 2010s. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

Thought leader Eliezer Yudkowsky, who originally popularized safety concerns about AI, initially believed that AI would be friendly but has since adopted the view that AI could lead to human extinction. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

The chant, at least in the context of the Florida football team, has much more innocent origins, being popularized in the 1990s by defensive back Lawrence Wright. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 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