Glamorize Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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glamorize

[หˆษกlรฆmษ™raษชz ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

fashion

To make something or someone seem more attractive or exciting, especially in a way that is not true or realistic.

Synonyms

beautify, embellish, enhance, idealize.

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Word Description / Examples
glamorize

Use when portraying something as more attractive, exciting, or appealing than it really is, often in a superficial or misleading way. Can have a negative connotation.

  • Movies often glamorize the life of a gangster, ignoring the negative aspects.
  • The magazine glamorized the celebrity lifestyle, making it look perfect and effortless.
embellish

Use when adding decorative details or features to something, sometimes in a way that makes it seem better or more interesting than it is. Can be used for both physical objects and stories.

  • She likes to embellish her clothes with intricate embroidery.
  • He has a habit of embellishing his stories to make them sound more impressive.
beautify

Use when making something visually more attractive, usually through decoration or improvements.

  • They worked hard to beautify the garden for the spring festival.
  • The city's new project aims to beautify public spaces with art and greenery.
enhance

Use when improving or making something more effective, attractive, or valuable.

  • The new features enhance the overall performance of the software.
  • Adding spices can enhance the flavor of the dish.
idealize

Use when representing something as perfect or better than in reality, often ignoring its flaws. Tends to have a naive or unrealistic connotation.

  • It's common for teenagers to idealize their favorite movie stars.
  • She often idealized her childhood memories, forgetting the difficulties she faced.

Examples of usage

  • She felt like she needed to glamorize her life on social media.
  • The magazine covers always glamorize the celebrities' lives.
  • The movie industry tends to glamorize certain aspects of reality.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

  • In film and media, glamorization often highlights luxury and success, influencing how people perceive wealth and fame.
  • Music videos frequently glamorize lifestyles that emphasize opulence and allure, attracting audiences with captivating visuals.

Psychology

  • Research indicates that glamorizing certain lifestyles can lead to unhealthy comparisons, affecting self-esteem and mental health.
  • The glamorization of fast fashion encourages consumerism and creates unrealistic standards for beauty and style.

Literature

  • Classic literature often critiques glamorization, showing characters who fall prey to the embellished lives portrayed in society.
  • Modern novels explore the contrast between glamorous representations of life and the harsh realities of the charactersโ€™ experiences.

Advertising

  • Advertisers frequently glamorize products to enhance their appeal, showcasing them in idealized settings or with famous personalities.
  • The glamorization in marketing plays a pivotal role in influencing trends and consumer choices, particularly in fashion and beauty industries.

Origin of 'glamorize'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'glamorize' combines 'glamour', which has roots in the Scots word 'glamour' meaning 'magic' or 'enchantment', and the suffix '-ize', indicating a process.
  • Glamour as a concept originally referred to a sense of magic and spell, later evolving to describe beauty and elegance in the 19th century.

The word 'glamorize' originated in the early 20th century from the noun 'glamour' with the suffix '-ize' added to form the verb. 'Glamour' itself comes from the Scots word 'gramarye', meaning enchantment or magic. Over time, 'glamorize' has been used to describe the act of making something more attractive or exciting than it really is, often in the context of media or entertainment.


Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,695, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.