assimilate

American  

[uh-sim-uh-leyt, uh-sim-uh-lit, -leyt] / əˈsɪm əˌleɪt, əˈsɪm ə lɪt, -ˌleɪt /

verb (used with object)

assimilated, assimilating

1. to take in and incorporate as one's own; absorb.

   He assimilated many new experiences on his European trip.

2. to bring into conformity with the customs, attitudes, etc., of a dominant social group, nation, or the like; adapt or adjust.

   to assimilate the new immigrants.

3. Physiology. to convert (food) to substances suitable for incorporation into the body and its tissues.

4. to cause to resemble (usually followed by to orwith ).

5. to compare; liken (usually followed by to orwith ).

6. Phonetics. to modify by assimilation.

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verb (used without object)

assimilated, assimilating

1. to be or become absorbed.

2. to conform or adjust to the customs, attitudes, etc., of a dominant social group, nation, or the like.

   The new arrivals assimilated easily and quickly.

3. Physiology. (of food) to be converted into the substance of the body; be absorbed into the system.

4. to bear a resemblance (usually followed by to orwith ).

5. Phonetics. to become modified by assimilation.

noun

1. something that is assimilated.

assimilate British  

/ əˈsɪmɪˌleɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to learn (information, a procedure, etc) and understand it thoroughly

2. (tr) to absorb (food) and incorporate it into the body tissues

3. (intr) to become absorbed, incorporated, or learned and understood

4. to bring or come into harmony; adjust or become adjusted

   the new immigrants assimilated easily

5. to become or cause to become similar

6. (usually foll by to) phonetics to change (a consonant) or (of a consonant) to be changed into another under the influence of one adjacent to it

   (n) often assimilates to ŋ before (k), as in ``include''

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Other Word Forms

• assimilable
  adjective
• assimilably
  adverb
• assimilation
  noun
• assimilative
  adjective
• assimilatively
  adverb
• assimilator
  noun
• nonassimilating
  adjective
• reassimilate
  verb
• unassimilated
  adjective
• unassimilating
  adjective
• well-assimilated
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of assimilate

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin assimilātus “likened to, made like” (past participle of assimilāre ), equivalent to as- as- + simil- ( see similar) + -ātus -ate ¹

Explanation

If you are trying to fit in, you are trying to assimilate. Imported from Latin, assimilate has the word similar within it and in fact, means "to become like something else." If someone moves to another country, he or she will need to assimilate by adapting to and taking in the language, culture and customs of the new place. You can also turn the phrase around to say that a country assimilates immigrants, which means that a place accepts immigrants and allows them to adapt easily. In scientific use, the body assimilates nutrients as a part of digestion.

Example Sentences

The British pound: Britain used to assimilate immigrants well, and this boosted both its population and productivity.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 17, 2026

As someone straddling languages and latitudes, Moura believes that international actors with career aspirations in the U.S. often try to assimilate, diluting themselves in the process.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2025

The Chinese and Irish formed benevolent societies to help new arrivals assimilate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 2, 2025

In this telling, Mamdani wasn’t simply eating rice — he was signaling foreignness, defiance and a refusal to assimilate.

From Salon • Jul. 3, 2025

Inevitably, that single author will have to sweat copiously in order to assimilate material from many disciplines, and will require guidance from many colleagues.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• comprehend
• grasp
• incorporate
• understand