socialize
gb/sˈoʊʃəlˌaɪz/ us/sˈoʊʃəlˌaɪz/
B1
English
~ 9100
társasági életet él, barátkozik, ismerkedik, szocializál, államosít, társadalmasít
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to socialize with [someone]
After work, we usually socialize at the café across the street.
Munka után általában a szemközti kávézóban találkozunk és beszélgetünk.
New employees are encouraged to socialize with people from other departments.
Az új munkatársakat arra ösztönzik, hogy ismerkedjenek más részlegek munkatársaival.
She's shy at first but loves to socialize once she feels comfortable.
The conference gives teachers a chance to learn and socialize.
He doesn't drink, but he still goes to the bar to socialize with his coworkers.
Learner examples
I like to socialize with my classmates after school.
Szeretek iskola után az osztálytársaimmal együtt lenni és beszélgetni.
At the party, I tried to socialize with new people.
A bulin próbáltam új emberekkel ismerkedni.
He goes to the club to dance and socialize.
On Friday nights, we meet and socialize at my house.
She does not socialize much because she is very shy.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *socialize* to mean 'use social media', as in *"I socialize on Instagram"*. In modern English, *socialize* usually means meeting people in person, not using apps. Learners also often say *"socialize to people"* instead of *"socialize with people"*; the correct preposition here is *with*.
Meaning
spend time with others socially
Collocations
socialize with friends
|socialize at parties
|like to socialize
|opportunity to socialize
|time to socialize
Synonyms
mingle (Often used for moving around and talking to many people, especially at a party or event.)
|
hang out (More informal; often used for relaxed time with friends rather than meeting new people.)
Antonyms
keep to oneself (Describes someone who avoids interacting with others and prefers to be alone.)
|
isolate oneself (Focuses on staying away from others, sometimes on purpose or because of circumstances.)
Themes
daily life
|relationships
|leisure
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To be with other people and talk to them in a friendly way for fun.
To meet and spend time with other people in a friendly way, especially for pleasure, conversation, or building relationships.
VERB
B2
2
szocializál
B2
Usage pattern:
to socialize [someone/something]
It's important to socialize puppies early so they don't become fearful of strangers.
Fontos a kölyökkutyákat korán szocializálni, hogy ne féljenek az idegenektől.
Parents play a key role in socializing their children into the values of their culture.
A szülők kulcsszerepet játszanak abban, hogy gyermekeiket saját kultúrájuk értékeire szocializálják.
The rescue center works hard to socialize the dogs before putting them up for adoption.
Preschools help socialize young children to group routines and rules.
He was poorly socialized as a child and now finds group situations very stressful.
Learner examples
You need to socialize a puppy so it is not afraid of people.
Szocializálni kell a kölyökkutyát, hogy ne féljen az emberektől.
School helps to socialize children so they can work in groups.
Az iskola segít szocializálni a gyerekeket, hogy tudjanak csoportban dolgozni.
The shelter tries to socialize the cats before they go to new homes.
His parents did not socialize him well, so he feels nervous with other people.
Good teachers help to socialize students for life in society.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with the idea of *just having fun with friends*. Here, *socialize* is about *teaching* or *guiding* someone (often children or animals), not about the teacher’s own enjoyment. Grammatically, learners may say *"socialize to children"* instead of *"socialize children"; in this sense, *socialize* is a transitive verb and takes a direct object (the person or animal being socialized).
Meaning
train for normal social behavior
Collocations
socialize children
|socialize a puppy
|properly socialized
|well socialized
|poorly socialized
Synonyms
train (Very general; does not specifically imply social situations unless context is added.)
|
accustom (Focuses on making someone used to something; may be used for social situations but is more formal and broader.)
Antonyms
neglect (Describes failing to give necessary care or guidance, including social training.)
|
shelter (In this context, suggests protecting someone or an animal from normal social contact, which can prevent proper socialization.)
Themes
family
|education
|psychology
|relationships
Definition
To teach a person or animal how to act and feel okay around other people or animals.
To train or guide a person or animal so they become comfortable and behave appropriately in normal social situations.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
3
államosít
B2
Usage pattern:
to socialize [industry/service/costs/risks]
Some politicians argue that the country should socialize healthcare to guarantee access for all citizens.
Egyes politikusok szerint az államnak államosítania kellene az egészségügyet, hogy minden állampolgár számára garantált legyen a hozzáférés.
The proposal would socialize the costs of higher education through increased taxes.
A javaslat adóemeléssel társadalmasítaná a felsőoktatás költségeit.
Critics claim that the plan effectively socializes the risks while allowing companies to keep the profits.
After the revolution, the new government moved quickly to socialize major industries.
They accused the policy of trying to socialize what had always been a private sector.
Learner examples
The new law will socialize some parts of the health system.
Az új törvény állami ellenőrzés alá vonja az egészségügyi rendszer egyes részeit.
The party wants to socialize big industries like energy and transport.
A párt államosítani akarja a nagy iparágakat, például az energia- és a közlekedési ágazatot.
If we socialize the costs, all taxpayers will help pay for the service.
Some people support socializing healthcare, but others strongly disagree.
The plan would socialize the risks of climate damage across the whole population.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this meaning of *socialize* is about people spending time together. In politics and economics, however, *socialize* is abstract: it is about who owns or pays for something, not about social life. Another common confusion is between *socialize* and *socialized* as an adjective, as in *"socialized medicine"*; the verb refers to the action or policy, while the adjective describes the resulting system.
Meaning
bring an activity under state control
Collocations
socialize healthcare
|socialize the costs
|plans to socialize industry
|socialize the risks
Synonyms
nationalize (Focuses more specifically on transfer to state ownership; often used for companies or industries.)
|
collectivize (Emphasizes control or ownership by a group or community rather than private individuals; often used in historical or ideological contexts.)
Antonyms
privatize (Means to transfer state-owned assets or services into private ownership or control, the opposite of socializing them.)
Themes
politics
|economics
|law
|business
Definition
To move a business, service, or cost from private control to control or sharing by the government or by everyone.
To place an industry, service, cost, or risk under the ownership, control, or shared responsibility of the state or of society as a whole.
Grammar
Dictionary form
socialize
IPA
GB/sˈoʊʃəlˌaɪz/
US/sˈoʊʃəlˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
so - cial - ize (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (so)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: socialize
- 3rd Person Singular: socializes
- Present Participle: socializing
- Past: socialized
Word family
Forms
socializes
verb
socializing
verb
socialized
verb
Core family
Related words
sociable
adjective B1
sociability
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unsociable
adjective
antisocial
adjective
Advanced or less common
sociology
noun B2
sociological
adjective C1
Expressions
socialize a puppy
1/sˈoʊʃəlˌaɪz ə pˈʌpi/
fixed phrase
train a puppy for social behavior
To teach a young dog to feel safe and act well with people, other dogs, and new places.
Examples
- You should socialize a puppy early by letting it meet many people and friendly dogs.
- The trainer explained how to socialize a puppy so it grows up confident rather than fearful.
socialize with friends
1/sˈoʊʃəlˌaɪz wˈɪθ fɹˈɛndz/
fixed phrase
spend free time with friends socially
To be with your friends and talk, relax, or have fun together.
Examples
- On weekends, I usually stay home and socialize with friends online or in person.
- University is not only for study; it is also a place to socialize with friends.
- She goes to the gym mainly to socialize with friends, not just to exercise.
socialized medicine
1/sˈoʊʃəlˌaɪzd mˈɛdɪsən/
fixed phrase
technical
healthcare run by the government
A health system where the government owns and runs hospitals and pays doctors, instead of private companies doing it.
Examples
- The debate over socialized medicine has divided voters for decades.
- Some countries with socialized medicine provide basic care to all citizens at low or no cost.