nominalize

[ nom-uh-nl-ahyz ]

verb (used with object),nom·i·nal·ized, nom·i·nal·iz·ing.
  1. to convert (another part of speech) into a noun, as in changing the adjective lowly into the lowly or the verb legalize into legalization.

  2. to convert (an underlying clause) into a noun phrase, as in changing he drinks to his drinking in I am worried about his drinking.

Origin of nominalize

1
First recorded in 1650–60; nominal + -ize
  • Also especially British, nom·i·nal·ise .

Other words from nominalize

  • nom·i·nal·i·za·tion, adjective

Words Nearby nominalize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024