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-ize

-ize

4.4
To add letters to a word to make a verb meaning to make or become
  • other
  • Specialized
: -izar
  • The suffix -ize is added to nouns to create verbs like 'modernize' and 'organize'.

Examples

  • In American English, most verbs use the -ize ending rather than '-ise'.

  • Scientists often use -ize to form technical terms such as 'crystallize' or 'oxidize'.

  • They plan to modernize the old building.

  • Can you organize the files by tomorrow?

  • The suffix -ize is commonly used to create verbs such as 'realize' and 'utilize'.

  • You can -ize many adjectives to form verbs, for example, 'simplify' from 'simple'.

  • In English, to -ize a word means to turn it into a verb, like changing 'class' to 'classify'.

Synonyms

ised
vs-ize
  • UK
3 7.0

An ending added to words to show making or becoming something

uses the z spelling rather than s

Surface Forms

-ize main

Etymology

-Ize comes from an old Greek ending that meant 'to make or do'. That's why, when you add -ize to a noun or adjective you make a verb like modernize or organize, meaning 'to make' modern or 'to make' orderly.