-ize
verb suffix
1
a(1)
: cause to be or conform to or resemble
systemize
Americanize
: cause to be formed into unionize
(2)
: subject to a (specified) action
plagiarize
(3)
: impregnate or treat or combine with
aluminize
b
: treat like
idolize
c
: treat according to the method of
bowdlerize
2
a
: become : become like
crystallize
b
: be productive in or of
hypothesize
: engage in a (specified) activity philosophize
c
: adopt or spread the manner of activity or the teaching of
Platonize
Word History
Etymology
Middle French -iser, from Late Latin -izare, from Greek -izein
Kids Definition
-ize
verb suffix
ˌīz
-ized; -izing
1
: cause to be or be like : form or cause to be formed into
crystallize
2
: cause to experience a specified action
hypnotize
3
: saturate, treat, or combine with
4
: treat like
idolize
5
: engage in a specified activity
colonize
- keep one's fingers crossed
- keep one's guard up
- keep one's hand in
- keep one's hands off
- keep one's hands off of
- keep one's head
- keep one's head above water
- keep one's head down
- keep one's lip buttoned
- keep one's lips buttoned
- keep one's mind off
- keep one's mind on
- keep one's mouth shut
- keep one's nose clean
- keep one's nose out of
- keep one's nose to the grindstone
- keep one's options open
- keep one's pecker up
- keep one's powder dry
- keep one's promise
- keep one's side of the bargain
- keep one's silence
- keep one's temper
- keep one's trap shut
- keep one's voice down