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verb B1 Intermediate Uncommon

memorize

MEHM-uh-ryz

Memorize (verb) means to learn something so thoroughly that you can recall it exactly, without needing to check. Example: “She had to memorize her lines before opening night.”

verb
1
To learn something so thoroughly that you can recall it exactly, without needing to check.
"She had to memorize her lines before opening night."
"He memorized the entire speech in one evening."

How to use memorize

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo learn something by heart so you can remember it perfectly later.

UK vs US

Both "memorize" and "memorise" are used in British English; American English uses "memorize" only.

Common pairings
memorize lines memorize a speech memorize facts

Word forms

memorized past tense, memorizes singular

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She had to _____ her lines before opening night.

Related words

Rhymes for memorize

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Frequently asked questions

What does “memorize” mean?

The word “memorize” means to learn something so thoroughly that you can recall it exactly, without needing to check. In plain terms, to learn something by heart so you can remember it perfectly later.

How do you pronounce “memorize”?

“Memorize” is pronounced MEHM-uh-ryz (/ˈmɛm.əˌɹaɪ̯z/ in IPA).

How do you use “memorize” in a sentence?

Here is “memorize” used in a sentence: “She had to memorize her lines before opening night.”

What part of speech is “memorize”?

“Memorize” is a verb.

Is “memorize” a common word?

“Memorize” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial