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

Meanwhile, Boyle Heights’ Forsythe Memorial School for Girls, a Protestant missionary school that sought to Americanize Mexican girls, is also on the list of historic places.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 30, 2025

The unabashed attempts to Americanize the English soccer experience range from musical acts as pregame entertainment to the addition of club seats — with waiter service and lounge access — and members-only bars inside stadiums.

From New York Times • May 4, 2024

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

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

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen