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Definition of urbanize

urbanize

/ˈɜːr.bə.naɪz/
(UK: urbanise)
ur · ban · ize
Adverb:urbanly
•
Adjective:urban
•
Past Simple:urbanized
•
Past Participle:urbanized
•
Present Participle:urbanizing
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urbanize Lexical Profile

urbanize Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To make or become urban in character; to develop a rural area into a town or city by building infrastructure, housing, and commercial centers.

Example

"Rapid industrial growth helped urbanize the surrounding countryside over the course of two decades."

2

To accustom a person or population to city life, customs, and social norms.

Example

"Years of living in the capital had thoroughly urbanized the once-rural family."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for urbanize
Antonyms
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• Rhymes for urbanize

• Nearby Words

urbanist
urbanite
urbanization
urbanize
urbex
urchin
urethra

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the late 19th century from the adjective 'urban' (from Latin 'urbanus', meaning 'of or belonging to a city', from 'urbs' meaning 'city') combined with the verbal suffix '-ize'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Urbanize. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/urbanize
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