Italianize

American  

[ih-tal-yuh-nahyz] / ɪˈtæl yəˌnaɪz /

especially British, Italianise

verb (used without object)

Italianized, Italianizing

1. to become Italian in manner, character, etc.

2. to speak Italian.

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verb (used with object)

Italianized, Italianizing

1. to make Italian, especially in manner, character, etc.

Italianize British  

/ ɪˈtæljəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to make or become Italian or like an Italian person or thing

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Other Word Forms

• Italianization noun

Etymology

Origin of Italianize

First recorded in 1605–15; Italian + -ize

Example Sentences

Joan Acocella recounts her ex-husband’s attempts to Italianize their Christmas.

From The New Yorker • Dec. 25, 2019

An American Army Air Forces lieutenant gallantly saves the day, an opportunity for Tutino to Italianize "The Star Spangled Banner" just as Puccini had in "Madama Butterfly."

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2015

Under the new law, Gina Lollobrigida can Italianize her 1968 Austrian divorce from Milko Skofic, and Maria Callas can shed Giovanni Battista Meneghini, from whom she has been separated for eleven years.

From Time Magazine Archive

Says a Vatican spokesman: "They must de- Italianize their terms to grow in the world."

From Time Magazine Archive

Thus it will be seen that efforts were required to Italianize these places.

From The Birth of Yugoslavia, Volume 2 by Baerlein, Henry