gothicize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareFormal, Academic, Literary
Quick answer
What does “gothicize” mean?
To make something Gothic in style or character.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make something Gothic in style or character.
To give something the dark, mysterious, or medieval aesthetic associated with Gothic literature, architecture, or subculture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage; primarily an academic/literary term in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries connotations of stylistic revival, deliberate aesthetic choice, and often a certain romantic or dark artificiality.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “gothicize” in a Sentence
[NP] gothicized [NP][NP] was gothicizedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gothicize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The Victorian architect sought to gothicise the plain medieval church tower.
- The director gothicised the Shakespearean adaptation with added crypts and ghosts.
American English
- The novelist gothicized the mundane suburban setting to create a sense of dread.
- They plan to gothicize the old town hall with pointed arches and gargoyles.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in art history, literary criticism, and architectural studies to describe stylistic transformation.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Used as a specific term in architectural and design history.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gothicize”
- Using it to mean simply 'to write a Gothic novel' (it's broader).
- Confusing it with 'gothify' (which is informal and relates to the subculture).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare, formal verb used primarily in academic, artistic, and literary contexts.
'Gothicize' typically refers to imposing a historical Gothic (medieval/mysterious) style, often in architecture or literature. 'Gothify' is informal and relates to adopting the aesthetic of the modern goth subculture (music, fashion).
It is not typical. It is usually applied to objects, buildings, stories, or artistic works. One might metaphorically say a person 'gothicized their appearance,' but this is unusual.
The process or result is 'gothicization' (e.g., 'the gothicization of the cathedral').
To make something Gothic in style or character.
Gothicize is usually formal, academic, literary in register.
Gothicize: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɒθɪsʌɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɑːθɪsaɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GOTH wearing ICY (ize) contact lenses to make their look more intense—they are 'Gothic-izing' their appearance.
Conceptual Metaphor
STYLE IS A COAT OF PAINT (that can be applied to something).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the verb 'gothicize' MOST appropriately used?