Lionized: meaning, definitions and examples

🦁
Add to dictionary

lionized

 

[ˈlaɪəˌnaɪzd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

public admiration

To lionize someone means to treat them as a celebrity or to give them a great deal of public attention and admiration. This often involves praising their achievements and elevating their status in the eyes of others. The term suggests not only recognition but also a form of adoration, where the person is held in high esteem, almost akin to a lion in the wild - majestic and revered. This usage is common in contexts relating to fame, celebrity culture, and public relations.

Synonyms

celebrated, esteemed, exalted, idolized, venerated.

Examples of usage

  • The actor was lionized after his Oscar win.
  • The scientist was lionized for her groundbreaking research.
  • They lionized the author during the book festival.
  • After his heroic act, he was lionized by the community.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term comes from the idea of treating someone like a lion, a king of the jungle, reflecting bravery and strength.
  • It is derived from the word 'lion,' originally linked to the Latin 'leo,' meaning lion, showcasing the noble characteristics associated with this animal.

Literature

  • Writers often depict lionized figures as protagonists, emphasizing societal admiration or hero-worship.
  • In George Orwell's 'Animal Farm,' characters are often lionized or demonized, illustrating power dynamics in society.

Social Commentary

  • Lionizing people can sometimes overlook their flaws, creating a distorted view of reality.
  • In the digital age, social media has made it easier to quickly lionize individuals, sometimes without knowing their full story.

Psychology

  • Being lionized can lead to increased pressure and expectations for the individual, often impacting their mental health.
  • The phenomenon of 'celebrity worship' shows how society often lionizes public figures, which can affect individuals' self-image.

History

  • Historically, military leaders and heroes are often lionized to promote nationalism and unity among the populace.
  • Famous figures like Alexander the Great were lionized in their time, leading to exaggerated stories of their exploits and heroism.

Translations

Translations of the word "lionized" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lionizado

🇮🇳 महान बना हुआ

🇩🇪 verehrt

🇮🇩 dikenal

🇺🇦 очолений

🇵🇱 lionizowany

🇯🇵 称賛された

🇫🇷 lionisé

🇪🇸 lionizado

🇹🇷 şöhret kazandırılmış

🇰🇷 영웅 대접받는

🇸🇦 مُعَظَّم

🇨🇿 oslavovaný

🇸🇰 oslavovaný

🇨🇳 被崇拜的

🇸🇮 lioniziran

🇮🇸 málkandi

🇰🇿 даңққа бөленген

🇬🇪 ლომისქვეშა

🇦🇿 şöhrət qazanan

🇲🇽 lionizado

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,539, 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.