Definition

1. Transitive verb:

   • To cause (a person, thing, or custom) to acquire American characteristics, manners, or style.
   • To bring under the cultural, political, or commercial influence of the United States.

2. Intransitive verb:

   • To become American in character, manners, or style.

Usage

• As a transitive verb, "americanize" takes a direct object (e.g., or ).
• As an intransitive verb, it describes a process that happens to a subject (e.g., ).
• The term often relates to cultural assimilation, adaptation, or influence.

Examples

• Transitive verb:
  • The fast-food chain had to americanize its menu slightly to succeed in the overseas market.
  • Living in New York for a decade americanized his accent and habits.
• Intransitive verb:
  • The immigrant family gradually americanized, adopting local traditions and holidays.
  • Over the years, the festival has americanized, incorporating more commercial elements.

Advanced Usage

• Cultural Critique: The term can be used in sociological or critical discussions about globalization and cultural hegemony.
  • Critics argue that global media is helping to americanize youth culture worldwide.
• Linguistics: Refers to adapting spelling or pronunciation to American English standards.
  • The publisher americanized the British spellings in the novel for its US release.

Variants and Related Words

• Americanization (noun): The process of making or becoming American in character.
  • The americanization of global culture is a topic of much debate.
• Americanized (adjective): Having been made American in character.
  • He prefers the americanized version of the dish.

Synonyms

• Assimilate (to absorb and integrate into a culture).
• Acculturate (to adopt the cultural traits of another group).
• Adapt (to adjust to new conditions).

Notes on Spelling

• The primary spelling is americanize.
• The variant americanise follows British English spelling conventions. Both forms are correct, with "americanize" being more common in American English contexts.

Verb

1. become American in character
   • After a year in Iowa, he has totally Americanized
2. make American in character
   • The year in the US has completely Americanized him