socialize

American  

[soh-shuh-lahyz] / ˈsoʊ ʃəˌlaɪz /

especially British, socialise

verb (used with object)

• socializes,
  present (3rd person singular)
• socialized,
  past participle,  past
• socializing
  present participle

1. to make social; make fit for life in companionship with others.

2. to make socialistic; establish or regulate according to the theories of socialism.

3. Education. to treat as a group activity.

   to socialize spelling quizzes.

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verb (used without object)

• socializes,
  present (3rd person singular)
• socialized,
  past participle,  past
• socializing
  present participle

1. to associate or mingle sociably with others.

   to socialize with one's fellow workers.

socialize British  

/ ˈsəʊʃəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (intr) to behave in a friendly or sociable manner

2. (tr) to prepare for life in society

3. (tr) to alter or create so as to be in accordance with socialist principles, as by nationalization

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• socializer
  noun
• resocialize
  verb
• oversocialize
  verb (used with object)
• socializable
  adjective
• unsocializable
  adjective
• unsocialized
  adjective
• unsocializing
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• socializing
  present
• socialized
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• socialize
  simple
• socializes
  simple
• have socialized
  perfect
• has socialized
  perfect
• am socializing
  progressive
• are socializing
  progressive
• is socializing
  progressive
• have been socializing
  perfect progressive
• has been socializing
  perfect progressive

Past

• socialized
  simple
• had socialized
  perfect
• was socializing
  progressive
• were socializing
  progressive
• had been socializing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will socialize
  simple
• will have socialized
  perfect
• will be socializing
  progressive
• will have been socializing
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

Origin of socialize

First recorded in 1820–30; social + -ize

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Explanation

When you socialize, you participate in activities in a group setting. If you have been studying alone for some time, you might take a break at the coffee shop to socialize with some friends. You can socialize somebody else, or educate her in social patterns. Parents socialize their kids through their upbringing, and clubs often socialize their members through a uniform. If you want to hang out with motorcyclists, you might want to dress in leather. It is also possible to socialize institutions, where benefits are open to a wide section of society. If voters socialize medicine, that service becomes available to all at government expense.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

socialize socializes socialized socializing

They need to socialize a language of accountability that promotes rule of law, democracy, and due process while eschewing talk of retribution, retaliation, or political payback.

From Slate ● Oct. 21, 2026

While they do not socialize much off campus, the hours they spend together on it have forged a close friendship.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

Having a beach key, she said, “doesn’t feel like a club, because you don’t go there to socialize with other people—but it feels like an incredible thing to have.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026

Meals can be a time to socialize and deepen bonds with family and friends.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 16, 2026

He had time to socialize, to join all kinds of clubs, and even take weekend road trips around North Carolina with his friends.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

His neighbors include Tom Brady and Jeff Bezos, though Icahn rarely socializes or goes to the island’s exclusive club.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2025

Karan says he socializes and eats at indoor restaurants.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2024

He works in an office plaza, lives in a shoebox apartment with vellum-thin walls and socializes at his choice of nearby casual dining establishments with names like Flingers and Chotchkie’s Bar & Grill.

From Salon ● Mar. 1, 2024

It wasn’t quite a Bond movie, but the trial provided glimpses of the sometimes glamorous locations where the art world lives, socializes and does business.

From New York Times ● Jan. 31, 2024

I start to see that the Internet is the way she travels; the way she socializes; the way she feels like part of things.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen

I have a truth for you: Men are socialized to assert themselves and unabashedly pursue what they desire.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

I was socialized in the crucible of millennial progressivism.

From Slate ● Feb. 12, 2026

Black socialized with Jeffrey Epstein and turned to him for tax- and estate-planning advice.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 11, 2026

Men — and this is not an excuse — are often not socialized to step in on these terms.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 29, 2025

It was the same as when he socialized with Marcy and other couples.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Attempts to regulate socializing at college, which have been building for years, have drawn new attention following the “Cornell 7” case.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026

Speaking of that: It’s not too late to join our series of challenges to help you rediscover the beauty of socializing in a pre-smartphone era.

From Slate ● Aug. 20, 2026

So after reading what felt like the hundredth article declaring that my generation had abandoned alcohol, nightlife and socializing altogether, I started wondering whether I was missing something.

From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026

The findings suggest that everyday patterns, such as waking, eating, working, socializing, and going to bed at similar times, may support better overall well-being.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 31, 2026

We walk outside to the parking lot, where all the socializing is happening.

From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy

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Related Words

• entertain
• get around
• mingle

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