internalize

especially British, in·ter·nal·ise

[in-tur-nl-ahyz]

verb (used with object)

internalized, internalizing 

1. to incorporate (the cultural values, mores, motives, etc., of another or of a group), as through learning, socialization, or identification.

2. to make subjective or give a subjective character to.

3. Linguistics.,  to acquire (a linguistic rule, structure, etc.) as part of one's language competence.

internalize

/ ɪnˈtɜːnəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. Also: interiorize. (tr) psychol sociol to make internal, esp to incorporate within oneself (values, attitudes, etc) through learning or socialization Compare introject

Other Word Forms

• internalization noun
• quasi-internalized adjective
• semi-internalized adjective
• uninternalized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of internalize¹

First recorded in 1940–45; internal + -ize

Example Sentences

But to Kaley Chiles, a Christian evangelical therapist who sued the state to be able to offer conversion therapy, internalized queerphobia is an inborn quality.

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“So thank you for being that unknowing inspiration behind the scenes. I was internalizing all of that love and putting it into that record.”

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What has this experience illuminated for you about any potential internalized prejudice, or how has it been a teaching moment?

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Old me would have internalized this, but four-years-later me is annoyed.

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Four letters distilled a practice that could take decades to internalize, making it repeatable even in the chaos of a busy kitchen.

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