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

b

: to present in generally understandable or interesting form

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

Meanwhile, Andrew was working behind the scenes to popularize the possum in his own way. —Howard Dorre, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Mar. 2025

Billy Crystal popularized his Sammy Davis Jr. impersonation in the '80s on Saturday Night Live. —Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025

Burghers is one of the pioneers popularizing smashburgers in the region. —Ryan Deto, Axios, 27 Feb. 2025

Aaron Tetzlaff, an agent at Coldwell Banker Warburg, tells me the term was popularized by a real estate influencer named Brandon Turner, author and former host of the BiggerPockets podcast. —Terri Williams, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

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