Americanized: meaning, definitions and examples

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

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.

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.

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.

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.