Americanize

American  

[uh-mer-i-kuh-nahyz] / əˈmɛr ɪ kəˌnaɪz /

especially British, Americanise

verb (used with or without object)

Americanized, Americanizing

1. to make or become American in character; assimilate to the customs and institutions of the United States.

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Americanize British  

/ əˈmɛrɪkəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to make or become American in outlook, attitudes, etc

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Other Word Forms

• Americanization noun
• Americanizer noun
• de-Americanize verb
• half-Americanized adjective
• quasi-Americanized adjective

Etymology

Origin of Americanize

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800; American + -ize

Example Sentences

And his character is complex in novel ways: The child of Chinese immigrants, Alexander was reared by people almost desperate to Americanize themselves, and he too has a hunger to be accepted.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

But if there was one lesson learned that might well be etched on some memorial to the lost cause of Afghanistan, it might well be Milley’s summation: “Don’t Americanize the war,” Milley said.

From Washington Post • Sep. 28, 2021

Its decision to Americanize a hugely lucrative property, with the lead roles now filled by a popular black comedian and the guy who played Walter White, probably once looked like a sound idea on paper.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2019

For a time, the growing show business profile of the N.A.S.L. led the Cosmopolitan League to abandon its immigrant roots, Christopher said, and to order its teams to Americanize their names.

From New York Times • Jun. 9, 2017

“And what better way to Americanize the children than to buy a car!”

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen