apotheosize

American  

[uh-poth-ee-uh-sahyz, ap-uh-thee-uh-sahyz] / əˈpɒθ i əˌsaɪz, ˌæp əˈθi əˌsaɪz /

verb (used with object)

apotheosized, apotheosizing

1. to deify; glorify.

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apotheosize British  

/ əˈpɒθɪəˌsaɪz /

verb

1. to deify

2. to glorify or idealize

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Etymology

Origin of apotheosize

First recorded in 1750–60; apotheos(is) + -ize

Explanation

To apotheosize is to worship someone or something, almost as if they were a god. When the most popular teacher in school retires, her former students might start to apotheosize her. When you apotheosize, you deify or glorify, your admiration and respect becoming so exaggerated that you might be talking about a deity instead of a human: "Beyoncé is a goddess!" This verb comes from the Greek apotheosis and its roots, apo, "change," and theos, "god." Now you know the perfect word to describe what happens when you talk about your favorite basketball player!