popularize

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "popularize" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the process of making something popular. Example sentence: Social media has been instrumental in popularizing many new trends and fads.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Like many of the later Maimonideans, Delmedigo thought that Maimonides himself had erred in publicly supporting and promoting attempts to popularize reconciliations between Aristotelian thought and popular Judaism.

SEP

The book's success it ran into nearly 50 editions by 1890 helped create an enduring image of the public-school product and popularize the doctrine of "muscular Christianity".

Encyclopedia Britannica

He earned the sobriquet "the Henry Ford of Aviation" for his efforts to popularize air travel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The laudatory pronouncements of the eminent German classicist Johann Joachim Winckelmann, who made his first trip to Naples in 1755, and the etchings of Giambattista Piranesi did much to popularize the excavations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Also in the 1950s, Lillian Oppenheimer helped popularize the word origami and introduce it to Americans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His Nieujaarliedekens ("New Year Songs") and Lieden op 't Vader Ons ("Songs on the Lord's Prayer") continued a medieval tradition in a Renaissance style echoing Erasmian moderation; his learned Twe-spraack vande Nederduitsche letterkunst (1584; "Dialogue on Dutch Literature") was intended to popularize the use of a national language.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The practical trend was begun in 1863 by Ebenezer Butterick, who devised the tissue-paper clothing pattern and, to popularize it, brought out the Ladies Quarterly Revieww of Broadway Fashions and, later, Metropolitan.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Musical films that popularize Hindi and Tamil songs have a considerable following, as do films from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the United States.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Richardson's novel may popularize Pamela, or Galsworthy's Forsyte Saga (1906 22) Jon, as a baptismal name, but it rarely makes a deeper impression on the mode of life of literate families.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was Dibdin who first brought the terms bibliomania (book-madness, or uncontrollable passion for books) and bibliophily (love of books) into common English usage, and his writing on these subjects did much to popularize book collecting as a pastime.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cyrano's use of science helped to popularize new theories; but his principal aim was to ridicule authority, particularly in religion, and to encourage freethinking materialism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "popularize" when you want to describe efforts to make something widely accepted or known by a large audience. Ensure the subject is something that benefits from increased awareness or adoption.

Common error

Avoid using "popularize" when the goal is to simplify a complex topic. While popularization can involve simplification, the primary aim is to increase awareness, not necessarily to make something easier to understand. Simplification is "streamline" for ease of comprehension, whereas popularization is "promote" for widespread acceptance.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "popularize" is as a transitive verb. It describes the action of making something widely known, liked, or accepted. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing "popularize" followed by a direct object.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

50%

Science

20%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "popularize" is a versatile transitive verb used to describe the act of making something widely known and accepted. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, from encyclopedias and scientific publications to news media. While it is important to distinguish "popularize" from "simplify", the term is generally suitable for both formal and informal communication when the aim is to increase awareness and acceptance. Its frequent use and clear meaning make it a reliable choice for writers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make something well-known

Focuses on the outcome of becoming known, rather than the active process.

promote something

Emphasizes active marketing and advertising efforts.

spread awareness of something

Highlights the act of increasing understanding and knowledge.

disseminate information about something

Implies a more formal and systematic distribution of information.

bring something to the forefront

Suggests moving something into a position of prominence and visibility.

increase the visibility of something

Focuses specifically on making something more visible or noticeable.

make something accessible

Emphasizes ease of understanding or use, potentially leading to wider adoption.

generalize something

Broader application across a wide range of instances.

universalize something

Applying a concept or item so broadly it can be global.

ingrain something

This suggests making something a deep-seated habit, belief, or attitude.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "popularize" in a sentence?

Use "popularize" to describe actions taken to make something widely known or accepted. For example, "The internet has helped to "popularize" many niche hobbies and interests".

What are some alternatives to "popularize"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""promote"", "disseminate", or "spread awareness" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say something is "popularized"?

Yes, "popularized" is the past tense and past participle of "popularize". You can say, "The concept was "popularized" by a series of articles in the national press".

What is the difference between "popularize" and "publicize"?

"Popularize" means to make something widely liked or accepted, while "publicize" simply means to give something publicity or make it known to the public. One can publicize something that doesn't become popular, and popularize something through means other than publicity.