popularise
POP-yuh-luh-rize
Popularise (verb) means to make something popular. Example: “The show helped popularise the band in Europe.”
verb
1
To make something popular.
"The show helped popularise the band in Europe."
"Social media can quickly popularise a new dance."
"Chefs on television popularised the dish across the country."
2
To present technical or academic information in a simpler form that the general public can understand and enjoy.
"She wrote a book to popularise astronomy for young readers."
"The documentary popularises complex research on the ocean."
"He set out to popularise the history of medicine."
How to use popularise
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something well liked or easy for everyone to understand.
When to use it
This is a mainly British spelling; American writers use popularize.
Common pairings
popularise an idea
popularise a sport
popularise science
help popularise
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like popularise.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The show helped _____ the band in Europe.
Etymology
The word was formed in English from popular plus the suffix -ise.
Rhymes for popularise
See all rhymes for popularise →Frequently asked questions
Is it popularise or popularize?
Popularise is the spelling used in non-Oxford British English. Popularize is the form used in American English and in Oxford British English.
What does popularise mean?
It means to make something popular, or to explain specialist information in a way ordinary people can follow.
What is the past tense of popularise?
The past tense and past participle are both popularised, and the present participle is popularising.
What is the meaning of popularise?
"popularise" (verb) means to make something popular.
