lionize
pronunciation
How to pronounce lionize in British English:
UK [ˈlaɪənaɪz]
How to pronounce lionize in American English:
US [ˈlaɪəˌnaɪz]
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- Verb:
- assign great social importance to
Word Origin
- lionize (v.)
- "to treat (someone) as a celebrity," a hybrid from lion + -ize. Used by Scott, 1809, and preserving lion in the sense of "person of note who is much sought-after" (1715), originally in reference to the lions formerly kept in the Tower of London (referred to from late 16c.), objects of general curiosity that every visitor in town was taken to see. Related: Lionized; lionizing.
Example
- 1. It leads people to lionize the acting of making the bold decision to try something unconventional , but this decision , in the grand scheme of things , might not be that important .
- 2. And if they continued to lionize him in a public fashion , that these kinds of public demonstrations can only have a profoundly negative effect on our relationship .
- 3. I am not here to lionize my father ; in fact , I am not qualified . In any case , he would not value such accolade .