Assimilate Meaning
/əˈsɪm.ɪ.leɪt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo incorporate nutrients into the body, especially after digestion.
verbTo incorporate or absorb (knowledge) into the mind.
Sentence Examples
You must assimilate into new surroundings.
The weak easily assimilate the opinions of the strong.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
New immigrants gradually ____ into the local culture while preserving their own traditions.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It takes time for new immigrants to ____ into a different culture.
Word Origin & History
First attested in the early 15ᵗʰ century, in Middle English; Middle English assimilaten (“to become similar; to make like”), from assimilat(e) (“assimilated”, also used as the past participal of assimilaten) + -en (verb-forming suffix), borrowed from Late Latin assimilātus, variant of Latin assimulātus (“made similar, imitated”), perfect passive participle of assimulō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from ad + simulō (“to imitate, copy”), from similis (“like, similar”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *sem- (“together, one”). Doublet of assemble.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Hence also it may be, that the Parts of Animals and Vegetables preserve their several Forms, and assimilate their Nourishment; [...]"
— a. 1728 (date written), Isaac Newton, “[The Third Book of Opticks.] ”, in Opticks: Or, A Treatise of the Reflections, Refractions, Inflections and Colours of Light. […], 4th edition, London: […] William Innys […], published 1730, →OCLC, page 362:
"In the living state, the body is observed to receive aliment; to assimilate a part; to evacuate what is redundant or useless; [...]"
— 1822, John Barclay, chapter I, in An Inquiry Into the Opinions, Ancient and Modern, Concerning Life and Organization, Edinburgh; London: Bell & Bradfute; Waugh & Innes; G. & W. B. Whittaker, section I, page 1:
"His mind had no power to assimilate the lessons."
— 1850, Charles Merivale, History of the Romans Under the Empire:
"A good modern work on this subject is needed, preferably by someone who understands both the Bible and human sexuality, but Sex and the Bible isn't it. I'm not sure what went wrong. Larue has read the literature, but seems not to have assimilated it."
— 1981 December 1, Duncan Mitchel, “The God That Dare Not Speak Its Name”, in Gay Community News, volume 12, number 20, page 8:
"The use of an animal to kill, wound or threaten is assimilated to the use of a weapon."
— 2005 October 12, J. R. Spencer, transl., Penal Code [of France], Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, retrieved 19 Jan 2020, page 25:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
New immigrants gradually ____ into the local culture while preserving their own traditions.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It takes time for new immigrants to ____ into a different culture.