italicize

American  

[ih-tal-uh-sahyz, ahy-tal-] / ɪˈtæl əˌsaɪz, aɪˈtæl- /

especially British, italicise

verb (used with object)

italicized, italicizing

1. to print in italic type.

2. to underscore with a single line, as in indicating italics.

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verb (used without object)

italicized, italicizing

1. to use italics.

italicize British  

/ ɪˈtælɪˌsaɪz /

verb

1. to print (textual matter) in italic type

2. (tr) to underline (letters, words, etc) with a single line to indicate italics

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Other Word Forms

• italicization
  noun
• unitalicized
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of italicize

First recorded in 1785–95; italic + -ize

Explanation

When you italicize your writing, you print or type in the slanted letters called "italics." You can italicize a word in a sentence when you want to emphasize it. People italicize for various reasons: they might italicize the title of a book, or a section of dialogue that's yelled by a character in a story. Print that you italicize usually slopes from left to right, and it resembles script or cursive writing. Italicize and italics come from the Latin word for "Italian," italicus. This print style was named in honor of the Italian printer credited as the first to use it.

Example Sentences

I. Italicize, subject to the caution just given, any words or phrases which it is desired to emphasize.

From The Uses of Italic A Primer of Information Regarding the Origin and Uses of Italic Letters by Hamilton, Frederick W. (Frederick William)

Italicize the names of plaintiff and defendant in the citation of legal cases; also the titles of proceedings containing such prefixes as in re, ex parte, In the matter of, etc.

From The Uses of Italic A Primer of Information Regarding the Origin and Uses of Italic Letters by Hamilton, Frederick W. (Frederick William)

Italicize for and read in lists of errata to separate the incorrect from the correct.

From The Uses of Italic A Primer of Information Regarding the Origin and Uses of Italic Letters by Hamilton, Frederick W. (Frederick William)

Italicize brief passages of foreign words which may be incorporated into an English passage but may not be long enough to be treated as regular quotations.

From The Uses of Italic A Primer of Information Regarding the Origin and Uses of Italic Letters by Hamilton, Frederick W. (Frederick William)

Italicize see and see also, in indices and similar compilations when they are used for cross-reference, and when it is desirable to differentiate them from the context.

From The Uses of Italic A Primer of Information Regarding the Origin and Uses of Italic Letters by Hamilton, Frederick W. (Frederick William)