Definition

To treat someone as a famous or important person, often by giving them a lot of attention and praise.

Example

The media tends to lionize celebrities, often overlooking their flaws.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you see how they lionize that author at the awards ceremony?

Yeah, it was like they were treating him like a rock star!

I know, right? It's interesting how we lionize certain people in society.

Absolutely, it really changes how we view their work.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Lionize → It is formed from "lion" (from Latin "leo", meaning lion) and "-ize" (a suffix used to form verbs indicating to make or to treat in a specified way). The word means to treat someone as a celebrity or to give them great public attention, akin to how one might revere a lion as a symbol of strength and majesty.

Memory Tip

Think of treating someone like a 'lion' — a powerful and admired creature — and the '-ize' means to make or treat in that way. This helps you remember that to lionize someone means to treat them as a celebrity.

Visually Confused Words