lionize

[ lahy-uh-nahyz ]
See synonyms for: lionizelionizedlionization on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),li·on·ized, li·on·iz·ing.
  1. to treat (a person) as a celebrity: to lionize the visiting poet.

  2. British. to visit or exhibit the objects of interest of (a place).

verb (used without object),li·on·ized, li·on·iz·ing.
  1. to pursue celebrities or seek their company.

  2. British. to visit the objects of interest of a place.

Origin of lionize

1
First recorded in 1800–10; lion + -ize
  • Also especially British, li·on·ise .

Other words from lionize

  • li·on·i·za·tion, noun
  • li·on·iz·er, noun
  • li·on·ized, adjective
  • un·li·on·ized, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use lionize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for lionize

lionize

lionise

/ (ˈlaɪəˌnaɪz) /


verb
  1. (tr) to treat as or make into a celebrity

Derived forms of lionize

  • lionization or lionisation, noun
  • lionizer or lioniser, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012