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

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

From Salon

Peggy and William’s relationship overcomes social barriers having to do with class disparity and internalized racist stratification within the East Coast’s Black elite.

From Salon

Dunham says the rom-com genre was the first she ever loved, but developed internalized snobbery around it as she got older.

From Los Angeles Times

“One of the reasons that economists really like this bill is that it would actually internalize the cost,” Brown said.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet women tend to internalize that knowledge gap, leading them to adopt the identity of being “bad at money,” Anat said.

From Los Angeles Times