lexicalize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “lexicalize” mean?
To convert a concept or phrase into a single word.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To convert a concept or phrase into a single word.
In linguistics, to assign a lexical item to a meaning or to treat a grammatical form as a lexical unit; more broadly, to express something in words.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The '-ize' spelling is standard in both, though 'lexicalise' is also a valid British variant.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, confined to specialist fields.
Grammar
How to Use “lexicalize” in a Sentence
[Subject] lexicalizes [Object]It is lexicalized as [noun phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lexicalize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Some languages lexicalise the concept 'the day after tomorrow' with a single word.
- The researchers sought to lexicalise the observed social phenomenon.
American English
- English lexicalizes 'to google' as a verb from a proper noun.
- How different cultures lexicalize color categories is a key research area.
adjective
British English
- The lexicalised phrase is now in common use.
American English
- A lexicalized idiom like 'kick the bucket' is non-compositional.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used.
Academic
Common in linguistics, psycholinguistics, and computational linguistics papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term for describing how languages create new words from existing morphemes or phrases.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lexicalize”
- Confusing with 'lexical' (adjective).
- Using it in general contexts instead of 'describe' or 'express'.
- Incorrect stress: /leksɪˈkəlaɪz/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, technical term used almost exclusively in linguistics and related fields.
It would sound very unnatural and academic. Use 'put into words' or 'find a word for' instead.
The noun is 'lexicalization' (US) or 'lexicalisation' (UK).
Not exclusively. It also refers to the process by which a multi-word expression becomes fixed and functions as a single lexical unit (e.g., 'high school').
To convert a concept or phrase into a single word.
Lexicalize is usually academic, technical in register.
Lexicalize: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɛk.sɪ.kə.laɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɛk.sɪ.kə.laɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: LEXICON + ALIZE. You 'lexicalize' an idea when you add it to your mental LEXICON as a single word.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE IS AN INVENTORY (Turning a process into a tool for the toolbox).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary field where 'lexicalize' is used?