Humanize Meaning
/ˈhjuː.mə.naɪz/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo make human; to give or cause to have the fundamental properties of a human.
verbTo make sympathetic or relatable.
Sentence Examples
The charity worked to humanize the lives of refugees.
The teacher helped to humanize the historical figures for her students.
Art can help to humanize our modern technology.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The recent documentary aimed to ____ the refugees by sharing their personal stories.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Giving the robot a face was an attempt to ____ it and make it more approachable to people.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Latin hūmānus Old French umain Middle French humainbor. Middle English humayne English human Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō)bor. Late Latin -izōder. Middle French -iserbor. Middle English -isen English -ize English humanize From human + -ize.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"VVas it the buſineſs of magic to humanize our natures with compaſſion, forgiveneſs, and all the inſtances of the moſt extenſive charity?"
— a. 1720 (date written), Joseph Addison, “Section II. The Power and Wisdom of God in the Creation.”, in The Evidences of the Christian Religion, […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson […], published 1730, →OCLC, subsection IV, page 16:
"A waiter brought his aperitif, which was a small scotch and soda, and as he sipped it gratefully he sighed.
‘Civilized,’ he said to Mr. Campion. ‘Humanizing.’ […] ‘Cigars and summer days and women in big hats with swansdown face-powder, that's what it reminds me of.’"
— 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter V, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
"I think they would try to humanize the worst villains in history out of their fear that the audience might not like the central character."
— 2000, Robert J. Emery, The directors: in their own words, volume 2, page 267:
"The Oscar-winning film The Iron Lady humanised Thatcher."
— 2012 January 9, “Margaret Thatcher: Let's hear it for the Iron Lady, comedy's greatest straight man”, in The Independent:
"Like the three ceremonial functions based on the Constitutions, these informal chief of state activities emphasize the president's role as the leader of the nation, but many of them also serve to humanize the president and symbolically bridge the gap between the president and the people."
— 2012, CQ Press, The Powers of the Presidency, pages 40–41:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The recent documentary aimed to ____ the refugees by sharing their personal stories.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Giving the robot a face was an attempt to ____ it and make it more approachable to people.