Naturalize - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Naturalize means to grant someone citizenship of a country where they were not born. It can also refer to adapting plants or animals to a new environment.
Definition:
To grant citizenship to a foreigner, or adapt a plant or animal to a new environment.
Synonyms:
acclimatize, assimilate, integrate, domesticate
Part of Speech:
verb
Antonyms:
denaturalize, exclude, alienate
Common Collocations:
naturalize immigrants, naturalize plants, become naturalized, naturalization process
Derivatives:
naturalization, naturalized, naturalizing
Usage Tips:
Use "naturalize" for granting citizenship or adapting species; often passive ("was naturalized"). Avoid confusion with "neutralize."
Common Phrases:
naturalized citizen, go through naturalization, fully naturalized
Etymology:
From Latin "natura" (nature) + "-ize," meaning to make conform to nature or adopt as native.
Examples:
- 1. She hopes to naturalize as a U.S. citizen next year.
- 2. The garden club will naturalize these tulips to thrive in our climate.
- 3. After living here for years, he decided to apply to naturalize.
- 4. Some plants can quickly naturalize and spread across fields.