Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense socializes, present participle socializing, past tense, past participle socializedregional note: in BRIT, also use socialise
1. verb
If you socialize, you meet other people socially, for example at parties.
...an open meeting, where members socialized and welcomed any new members. [VERB]
It distressed her that she no longer socialized with old friends. [VERB + with]
socializinguncountable noun
The hours were terrible, so socialising was difficult.
2. verb [usually passive]
When people, especially children, are socialized, they are made to behave in a way which is acceptable in their culture or society.
[technical]
You may have been socialized to do as you are told. [beVERB-ed]
From the time you are born you have to be socialised into being a good father. [beVERB-ed]
Synonyms: condition, train, teach, rear More Synonyms of socialize
3. verb [usually passive]
When something is socialized, it is made to operate on socialist principles.
[technical]
...a socialist system in which the ownership of the means of production will be socialized. [beVERB-ed]
...the debate over how a fully socialized economy might work. [VERB-ed]
More Synonyms of socialize
socialize in British English
or socialise (ˈsəʊʃəˌlaɪz)
verb
1. (intransitive)
to behave in a friendly or sociable manner
2. (transitive)
to prepare for life in society
3. (transitive) mainly US
to alter or create so as to be in accordance with socialist principles, as by nationalization
Derived forms
socializable (ˈsocialˌizable) or socialisable (ˈsocialˌisable)
adjective
socializer (ˈsocialˌizer) or socialiser (ˈsocialˌiser)
noun
socialize in American English
(ˈsoʊʃəˌlaɪz)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈsocialˌized or ˈsocialˌizing
1.
to make social; adjust to or make fit for cooperative group living
2.
to adapt or make conform to the common needs of a social group
3.
to subject to governmental ownership and control; nationalize
4.
to cause to become socialist
verb intransitive US
5.
to take part in social activity
Derived forms
socialization (ˌsocialiˈzation)
noun
socializer (ˈsocialˌizer)
noun
Examples of 'socialize' in a sentence
socialize
They tended to socialize with other people like themselves from the country club up the road.
Stuart Harrison LOST SUMMER (2002)
Whatever the reason, it seemed to me that the Outislanders were more reluctant to socialize than the Buck guards.
Robin Hobb THE GOLDEN FOOL: BOOK TWO OF THE TAWNY MAN (2002)
Like generations of Port Frederickans before me, I can't think of any place I would rather go to drink and socialize.
Pickard, Nancy NO BODY (2002)
You gotta be around people, socialize a little, or you'll turn into an ape man.
James W. Hall BLACKWATER SOUND (2002)
In other languages
socialize
British English: socialize VERB
If you socialize, you meet other people socially, for example at parties.
...an open meeting, where members socialized and welcomed any new members.
American English: socialize
Brazilian Portuguese: socializar
Chinese: 社交
European Spanish: hacer vida social
French: rencontrer des gens
German: Kontakte knüpfen
Italian: intrattenere rapporti sociali
Japanese: つきあう
Korean: 사람들과 사귀다
European Portuguese: socializar
Latin American Spanish: hacer vida social
Chinese translation of 'socialize'
socialize
(ˈsəuʃəlaɪz)
vi
参(參)加社交 (cānjiā shèjiāo)
to socialize with与(與) ... 交往 (yǔ ... jiāowǎng)
1 (verb)
Definition
to meet others socially
They no longer socialized as they used to.
Synonyms
mix
He mixes with people younger than himself.
interact
mingle
Guests ate and mingled.
be sociable
meet
go out
entertain
get together
fraternize
Executives fraternized with the personnel of other banks.
have people round
be a good mixer
get about or around
2 (verb)
Definition
to prepare for life in society
You may have been socialized to do as you are told.
Synonyms
condition
We have been conditioned to believe that it is weak to be scared.
train
We train them in bricklaying and other building techniques.
teach
a programme to teach educational skills
She taught me to read.
rear
I was reared in east Texas.
educate
She was educated at a local school.
brainwash
We were brainwashed to believe we were all equal.
3 (verb)
a fully socialized economy
Synonyms
condition
Additional synonyms
in the sense of brainwash
Definition
to cause (a person) to alter his or her beliefs, by methods based on isolation, sleeplessness, etc.
We were brainwashed to believe we were all equal.
Synonyms
indoctrinate,
condition,
drill,
pressurize,
re-educate
in the sense of educate
Definition
to teach (someone) over a long period of time so that he or she acquires knowledge and understanding of a range of subjects
She was educated at a local school.
Synonyms
teach,
school,
train,
coach,
develop,
improve,
exercise,
inform,
discipline,
rear,
foster,
mature,
drill,
tutor,
instruct,
cultivate,
enlighten,
civilize,
edify,
indoctrinate
in the sense of fraternize
Definition
to associate on friendly terms
Executives fraternized with the personnel of other banks.
Synonyms
associate,
mix,
socialize,
keep company,
unite,
hang out (informal),
mingle,
cooperate,
concur,
consort,
sympathize,
hang with (informal, US),
hobnob,
go around with
Synonyms of 'socialize'
socialize
Explore 'socialize' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of mingle
Definition
to associate or mix with a group of people
Guests ate and mingled.
Synonyms
associate,
circulate,
hang out (informal),
consort,
socialize,
rub shoulders (informal),
hobnob,
fraternize,
hang about or around
in the sense of rear
Definition
to care for and educate (children) until maturity
I was reared in east Texas.
Synonyms
bring up,
raise,
educate,
care for,
train,
nurse,
foster,
nurture
in the sense of teach
Definition
to give instruction or lessons in (a subject) to (students)
a programme to teach educational skillsShe taught me to read.
Synonyms
instruct,
train,
coach,
school,
direct,
advise,
inform,
discipline,
educate,
drill,
tutor,
enlighten,
impart,
instil,
inculcate,
edify,
give lessons in
in the sense of train
Definition
to instruct (someone) in a skill
We train them in bricklaying and other building techniques.
socialize