socialize

verb

so·​cial·​ize ˈsō-shə-ˌlīz How to pronounce socialize (audio)
socialized; socializing
Synonyms of socializenext

transitive verb

1
: to make social
especially : to fit or train for a social environment
2
a
: to constitute on a socialistic basis
socialize industry
b
: to adapt to social needs or uses
3
: to organize group participation in
socialize a recitation

intransitive verb

: to participate actively in a social group
socializer
ˈsō-shə-ˌlī-zər How to pronounce socialize (audio)
noun

Synonyms of socialize

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of socialize in a Sentence

She danced and socialized at the party. he likes to socialize with his coworkers after work ends
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Women are particularly socialized to keep things moving no matter what. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 6 July 2026 Woodall noted how Wesley has also socialized with older peers in the school, including Woodall’s third-grade students. — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026 What replaces the bar stool matters for nightlife operators, fitness brands, dating apps and anyone trying to build a business around how twentysomethings socialize. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026 Sober socializing is showing up most visibly in run clubs, reading meetups and pickup sports, where the activity itself carries the conversation. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for socialize

Word History

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of socialize was in 1765

Rhymes for socialize

See All Rhymes for socialize

Browse Nearby Words

socialization
socialize
socialized medicine
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Socialize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/socialize. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

socialize

verb
so·​cial·​ize ˈsō-shə-ˌlīz How to pronounce socialize (audio)
socialized; socializing
1
: to make social
especially : to make fit for a social environment
2
: to take part in social activities
socializing with friends after work
socialization
ˌsōsh-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce socialize (audio)
noun
socializer
ˈsō-shə-ˌlī-zər How to pronounce socialize (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

socialize

transitive verb
so·​cial·​ize
variants also British socialise
ˈsō-shə-ˌlīz How to pronounce socialize (audio)
socialized also British socialised; socializing also British socialising
: to make social
especially : to fit or train for society or a social environment
children are socialized according to a given cultural pattern —H. A. Murray & C. K. Kluckhohn

More from Merriam-Webster on socialize

Nglish: Translation of socialize for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All