socialize

verb

so·​cial·​ize ˈsō-shə-ˌlīz 

socialized; socializing

transitive verb

1

: to make social

especially : to fit or train for a social environment

2

a

: to constitute on a socialistic basis

socialize industry

b

: 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

socializer

ˈsō-shə-ˌlī-zər 

noun

Synonyms of socialize

• mingle
• mix
• associate

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 on the Web

Each gathering will feature 45 minutes of drop-in flag football, followed by an opportunity for participants to socialize and watch an NFL game together at the Veterans Resource Center on campus. — Jenelyn Russo, Oc Register, 11 Nov. 2026

Enjoy socializing with friends and children; sports and creative events will also be excellent choices to enjoy yourself. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 11 Nov. 2026

Alpharetta Fall Cocktail Crawl Join the Cocktail Crawl to sample five 5-ounce cocktails at your choice of participating downtown bars and restaurants, socialize and enjoy live entertainment. — Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 10 Nov. 2026

Later, your appetite for socializing may ease as the Moon enters Scorpio. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for socialize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

socialize

verb

so·​cial·​ize ˈsō-shə-ˌlīz 

socialized; socializing

1

: to make social

especially : to make fit for a social environment

2

: to take part in social activities

socializing with friends after work

socialization

ˌsōsh-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

socializer

ˈsō-shə-ˌlī-zər 

noun

Medical Definition

socialize

transitive verb

so·​cial·​ize

variants also British socialise

ˈsō-shə-ˌlīz 

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