Vulgarize: meaning, definitions and examples
📉
vulgarize
[ ˈvʌlɡəraɪz ]
language use
To vulgarize means to make something more commonplace or to present it in a form that is less sophisticated or refined. It often refers to making concepts, ideas, or language accessible to a broader audience, sometimes at the expense of the original intent or depth.
Synonyms
dumb down, popularize, reduce, simplify
Examples of usage
- The scholar's work was vulgarized for a general audience.
- He vulgarized complex theories in his popular science book.
- The film vulgarized Shakespeare's play for mainstream viewers.
Translations
Translations of the word "vulgarize" in other languages:
🇵🇹 vulgarizar
🇮🇳 सामान्य बनाना
🇩🇪 vulgär machen
🇮🇩 menggambarkan secara kasar
🇺🇦 вульгаризувати
🇵🇱 wulgaryzować
🇯🇵 大衆化する
🇫🇷 vulgariser
🇪🇸 vulgarizar
🇹🇷 vulgarlık yapmak
🇰🇷 속락하다
🇸🇦 تعميم
🇨🇿 vulgarizovat
🇸🇰 vulgarizovať
🇨🇳 通俗化
🇸🇮 vulgarizirati
🇮🇸 vulgara
🇰🇿 вульгаризациялау
🇬🇪 ვულგარიზება
🇦🇿 vulqarlaşdırmaq
🇲🇽 vulgarizar
Word origin
The term 'vulgarize' originates from the Latin word 'vulgāris', which means 'of the common people'. The evolution of the word traces back to the mid-19th century, where it began to take on a more specific meaning related to the process of making something more accessible, particularly in intellectual or artistic contexts. Traditionally, 'vulgus' referred to the general population, indicating a shift from elite or specialized knowledge to broader accessibility. Over time, 'vulgarize' has sometimes acquired a negative connotation, implying that the simplification process results in a loss of quality or sophistication. In contemporary usage, especially in academia and media, 'vulgarization' is often discussed in relation to the balance between making content understandable and preserving its complexity.