socialize

play

verb so·cial·ize \ˈsō-shə-ˌlīz\

Definition of socialize

socialized

;

socializing

transitive verb
1 : to make social; especially : to fit or train for a social environment
2a : to constitute on a socialistic basis socialize industryb : to adapt to social needs or uses
3 : to organize group participation in socialize a recitation
intransitive verb
: to participate actively in a social group

socialization

play \ˌsō-sh(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

socializer

play \ˈsō-shə-ˌlī-zər\ noun

See socialize defined for English-language learners

See socialize defined for kids

Examples of socialize in a Sentence

She danced and socialized at the party.
he likes to socialize with his coworkers after work ends

Recent Examples of socialize from the Web

Near the couple’s South Seattle home in Hillman City, neighbors of the Espitias said the couple had lived in the neighborhood for about a year but didn’t socialize much with others.

— paige gross, The Seattle Times, "Queen Anne man held on $3M bail in fatal shooting of wife", 3 July 2017
Andressian changed his appearance and had been socializing while living out of a Las Vegas hotel for 47 days, conduct characterized as inconsistent with that of a grieving parent, said sheriff’s Lt.

— michael balsamo, The Seattle Times, "Sheriff: Man killed missing son, 5, after Disneyland trip", 26 June 2017
Attendees are always encouraged to dress up as their favorite anime (or other genre) characters, and socialize and see and be seen during all three days of the convention!

— bob gathany, AL.com, "HAMACON 8 brings 3 days of anime to the VBC", 23 June 2017
The YouTube babies are socializing, but probably not saying anything with specific meaning, many linguists say.

— adrienne lafrance, The Atlantic, "What an AI's Non-Human Language Actually Looks Like", 20 June 2017
This year, dinner is served at about 8:45 p.m., and people eat and socialize until about 10 p.m. The food is catered and the menu changes every day.

— erin hegarty, Naperville Sun, "Ramadan's month of fasting brings Muslims closer to God and family", 16 June 2017
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006, file photo, Eastern Michigan University graduates socialize before their commencement at the Convocation Center in Ypsilanti, Mich.

— Washington Post, "Feds point fingers as ‘debt relief’ cos. prey on students", 14 June 2017
The Greens and Youngs and one or two other families on the block often socialize and sometimes blocked the street off for July Fourth celebrations.

— ian cummings, kansascity, "Neighbors left with questions after Independence man’s arrest in road rage killing", 5 June 2017
Against the backdrop of rapid urbanization, high immigration, and the rise of mass education, municipal authorities installed bathing facilities to socialize the urban poor into the habits of sanitation.

— j.y. chua, The Atlantic, "Bathing in Controversy", 2 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'socialize'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of socialize

1765

Other Sociology Terms

bourgeois, ethos, eugenics, exurb, incommunicado, intelligentsia, megalopolis, metrosexual, mores, subculture

SOCIALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

socialize

play

verb

Definition of socialize for English Language Learners

: to talk to and do things with other people in a friendly way
: to teach (someone) to behave in a way that is acceptable in society

Medical Dictionary

socialize

transitive verb so·cial·ize

variants: also British

socialise

\ˈsō-shə-ˌlīz\play

Medical Definition of socialize

socialized

also British

socialised

;

socializing

also British

socialising

: to make social; especially : to fit or train for society or a social environment children are socialized according to a given cultural pattern—H. A. Murray & C. K. Kluckhohn