bastardize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, sometimes academic; strong negative connotation.
Quick answer
What does “bastardize” mean?
To corrupt or debase something from its original or pure state.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To corrupt or debase something from its original or pure state; to lower its quality, standard, or character.
To treat something (a person, concept, or creation) as if it is illegitimate or inferior. It can also refer to altering a language, text, or tradition in a way that makes it impure or unrecognizable from its original form.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major difference in meaning or usage. The spelling 'bastardise' is standard in British English, while 'bastardize' is standard in American English.
Connotations
Equally strong and negative in both varieties.
Frequency
Low-frequency, higher-register word in both. Possibly slightly more common in UK academic/formal discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “bastardize” in a Sentence
[Subject] bastardizes [Object] (e.g., The film bastardizes the novel).[Object] is bastardized by [Agent] (e.g., The recipe was bastardized by commercial producers).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bastardize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Purists argue that modern texting slang bastardises the English language.
- The film adaptation utterly bastardised the novel's complex themes.
American English
- Commercial developers often bastardize traditional architectural styles.
- Critics accused the producer of bastardizing the historical narrative for ratings.
adverb
British English
- The concept was bastardisedly presented to the public, losing all nuance.
American English
- The recipe was bastardizedly altered to use cheaper, processed foods.
adjective
British English
- We were served a bastardised version of paella, full of inappropriate ingredients.
- The report presented a bastardised account of the committee's findings.
American English
- The software is a bastardized fork of the original open-source project.
- He spoke a bastardized form of the dialect, mixed with city slang.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used critically: 'The merger bastardized the company's founding ethos.'
Academic
Common in cultural, literary, and linguistic criticism: 'The colonial administration bastardized local legal traditions.'
Everyday
Uncommon. Used for strong criticism: 'That fast-food chain has bastardized authentic cuisine.'
Technical
Used in linguistics (language change), historical analysis, and critical theory.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bastardize”
- Using it as a synonym for 'copy' or 'imitate' (it requires a sense of corruption).
- Confusing it with 'bastard' as a personal insult. The verb targets concepts or things, not directly people.
- Misspelling: 'bastardise' (UK) vs. 'bastardize' (US).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is strongly pejorative and carries the historical stigma of the word 'bastard'. It is offensive when directed at a person's lineage. When used metaphorically for concepts, it is a strong term of criticism but not a direct personal slur. Use with caution.
Almost never. It is inherently negative, implying corruption and loss of purity. A neutral term like 'adapt', 'modify', or 'localize' should be used if the change is not viewed negatively.
Bastardization (US) / Bastardisation (UK).
No. While common in cultural criticism, it can be applied to any system, tradition, practice, or object perceived as being corrupted from an original, pure, or standard form (e.g., law, science, cuisine, rituals).
To corrupt or debase something from its original or pure state.
Bastardize is usually formal, sometimes academic; strong negative connotation. in register.
Bastardize: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːstədʌɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbæstərˌdaɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A bastardized version of...”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BASTARD (illegitimate child) + IZE (to make into). To 'make something into a bastard' = to corrupt its pure lineage or original form.
Conceptual Metaphor
PURITY IS LINEAGE / CORRUPTION IS IMPURITY. Treating something pure (of legitimate birth) as if it is impure (illegitimate).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'bastardize' MOST appropriate?