cosmopolitanize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “cosmopolitanize” mean?
To make something or someone more cosmopolitan.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make something or someone more cosmopolitan; to introduce worldwide or diverse cultural influences.
To broaden the cultural scope, sophistication, or international character of a place, group, or individual; to remove provincial or narrow-minded attitudes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: British 'cosmopolitanise', American 'cosmopolitanize'. Usage frequency is equally low in both variants.
Connotations
Slightly more common in sociological or urban planning discourse in both variants.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday speech; found primarily in academic, journalistic, or literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cosmopolitanize” in a Sentence
[NP] cosmopolitanizes [NP] (e.g., Immigration cosmopolitanized the city.)[NP] is cosmopolitanized by [NP] (passive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cosmopolitanize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The influx of international students helped to cosmopolitanise the university town.
- Post-war migration policies sought to cosmopolitanise British cuisine.
American English
- The festival aimed to cosmopolitanize the midwestern city's cultural scene.
- Living abroad for a decade cosmopolitanized his perspective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; may appear in high-level strategy discussing global brand positioning.
Academic
Used in sociology, urban studies, and cultural studies to describe processes of cultural transformation.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Not typical in STEM fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cosmopolitanize”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cosmopolitanize”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cosmopolitanize”
- Incorrectly using it intransitively (e.g., 'The city cosmopolitanized' – needs an object).
- Confusing with 'cosmopolite' (a noun).
- Misspelling as 'cosmopolitize'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, formal word used primarily in academic or descriptive writing.
Potentially, yes. It can imply a loss of local or traditional character in favor of a homogenized global culture.
The related noun is 'cosmopolitanization' (or 'cosmopolitanisation' in UK spelling).
'Globalize' focuses more on economic and political interconnectedness. 'Cosmopolitanize' emphasizes cultural sophistication, diversity, and the blending of international influences at a social or personal level.
To make something or someone more cosmopolitan.
Cosmopolitanize is usually formal, academic in register.
Cosmopolitanize: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒzməˈpɒlɪtənaɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːzməˈpɑːlɪtənaɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'COSMO' (universe/world) + 'POLITAN' (city) + 'IZE' (to make) = to make something like a world city.
Conceptual Metaphor
CULTURAL SOPHISTICATION IS BREADTH (as opposed to narrowness).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest synonym for 'cosmopolitanize' in the context of urban development?