catalyze: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Academic, technical, formal, business
Quick answer
What does “catalyze” mean?
To cause or accelerate a chemical reaction by acting as a catalyst.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To cause or accelerate a chemical reaction by acting as a catalyst.
To cause or accelerate a significant process, event, or change.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'catalyse' is the standard British spelling; 'catalyze' is the standard American spelling.
Connotations
Identical in connotation; a technical/scientific term used metaphorically.
Frequency
Equally common in respective academic and business registers in both regions, with the expected spelling variation.
Grammar
How to Use “catalyze” in a Sentence
[Agent] catalyzes [Process/Change] (in [Domain])[Event] catalyzed [Outcome]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “catalyze” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The new policy aims to catalyse innovation in the renewable sector.
- Her speech catalysed a long-overdue debate on the issue.
American English
- The tech startup helped catalyze a shift in how we use data.
- His research catalyzed the development of new therapeutic drugs.
adverb
British English
- The reaction proceeded catalytically.
- The group acted catalytically to bring the factions together.
American English
- The enzyme works catalytically to break down the compound.
- The new law functioned catalytically to transform the industry.
adjective
British English
- The catalyzing effect of the investment was immediately apparent.
- A catalysing agent was added to the mixture.
American English
- The catalyzing power of social media is undeniable.
- She played a catalyzing role in the project's success.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe an event or person that drives significant growth, innovation, or market change.
Academic
Used in chemistry literally; used metaphorically in social sciences to describe forces of change.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; more likely in educated discussion about change.
Technical
Precise term in chemistry and biochemistry for the action of a catalyst.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “catalyze”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “catalyze”
- Using 'catalyze' as a synonym for simple 'cause' without the nuance of acceleration or enabling.
- Misspelling: 'catalise' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its origin and most precise use is in chemistry, it is very commonly used as a metaphor in business, politics, and social sciences to mean 'trigger or accelerate a process of change.'
'Catalyze' implies the agent initiates or speeds up a change but is not itself consumed or fundamentally altered by the process, and often the change is significant or transformative. 'Cause' is more general and direct.
Use 'catalyze' for American English and 'catalyse' for British English. The meaning is identical.
Yes, it can be neutral. You can 'catalyze a crisis' or 'catalyze conflict' just as you can 'catalyze growth' or 'catalyze peace.' The word describes the action of triggering/accelerating, not the value of the outcome.
To cause or accelerate a chemical reaction by acting as a catalyst.
Catalyze is usually academic, technical, formal, business in register.
Catalyze: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkæt.əl.aɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkæt̬.əl.aɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not commonly used in idiomatic expressions]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CAT that's so fast and agile it sets off (LYZes) a chain reaction of events.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHANGE IS A CHEMICAL REACTION / AN AGENT IS A CATALYST.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'catalyze' used MOST appropriately?