Americanized Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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Americanized

[əˈmerɪkəˌnaɪzd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

culture

Adapted to or characteristic of American customs, beliefs, and practices.

Synonyms

Westernized, Westernized.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
Americanized	Used to describe something or someone that has adopted features of American culture, customs, or lifestyle. Often used in contexts relating to cultural exchange, globalization, or adaptation. After living in the U S for ten years, she has become quite Americanized and prefers fast food over traditional meals

Word

Description / Examples

Americanized

Used to describe something or someone that has adopted features of American culture, customs, or lifestyle. Often used in contexts relating to cultural exchange, globalization, or adaptation.

After living in the U
S
for ten years, she has become quite Americanized and prefers fast food over traditional meals

Examples of usage

His speech was very Americanized, with a lot of references to popular culture.
She grew up in Europe but has become more Americanized over the years.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

language

To make American in character; assimilate to the customs and institutions of the U.S.

Synonyms

Acculturate, adapt, assimilate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
Americanized	This term is often used when someone adopts the cultural norms, values, and behaviors associated with the United States. It can sometimes have a negative connotation, suggesting a loss of one's original culture. After living in the USA for five years, he has become completely Americanized. The restaurant offers an Americanized version of traditional Italian dishes.
assimilate	This term indicates the process of adopting the cultural traits or social patterns of another group, often leading to a loss of the minority group's original culture. It can have a negative connotation, suggesting a one-way absorption into the dominant culture. The policy encouraged immigrants to assimilate into the national culture. Over time, the small community began to assimilate into the larger society.
adapt	This is a broad term that means to adjust or change in response to new conditions or environments. It does not specify cultural context and is generally neutral. It took him a while to adapt to the colder climate after moving north. She found it challenging to adapt to the new job at first.
Acculturate	This word refers to the process of cultural change and psychological change that results following the meeting between cultures. It implies a mutual exchange of cultural traits and can be neutral or positive in its connotation. Immigrants often acculturate to the dominant culture while retaining aspects of their own. Through living together, different ethnic groups in the city have acculturated over the years.

Examples of usage

The immigrants quickly Americanized their names to fit in with the new society.
After living in the U.S. for several years, he fully Americanized his accent.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Influence

Global fast-food chains have popularized American dining styles, changing traditional eating habits in many countries.
Hollywood films often dominate box offices worldwide, leading to a shared understanding of American lifestyles and values.
Music genres like jazz and rock, originating in America, have influenced worldwide music trends and styles.

Language

The spread of American English includes unique phrases and vocabulary that differ from British English, shaping global communication.
Many technologies produced in the U.S. incorporate American terms, influencing how people speak in business and everyday life.

Globalization

Increased connectivity and travel have accelerated the Americanization of various cultures, blending local traditions with American customs.
Social media platforms based in the U.S. play a crucial role in sharing American trends worldwide.

Criticism

Some view Americanization as a loss of local cultures and traditions, leading to homogenization of global identities.
Critics argue that Americanized practices can lead to cultural imperialism, undermining indigenous customs and practices.

Origin of 'Americanized'

Main points about word origin

The term was first recorded in the English language during the mid-19th century as America began to influence world cultures.
Derived from 'American,' the suffix '-ized' indicates the process of becoming something or adopting a characteristic.

The term 'Americanized' originated in the mid-19th century and was initially used to refer to the process of adapting or assimilating to American culture. With the rise of globalization, the concept of Americanization has become more widespread, impacting various aspects of language, food, and lifestyle around the world.