What does naturalize mean?
Naturalize means to make something fit naturally into a place, context, or culture, or to give a foreign-born person the legal status of citizenship in a new country. The word can describe physical design, as when a new building is made to harmonize with an old landscape; it can describe language or culture, when a borrowed expression is made to sound native; and it commonly refers to the process by which an immigrant acquires citizenship. Its meaning is often subtly different from simply changing or adapting: naturalize implies that the result should appear ordinary, familiar, or at home rather than visibly imposed. The word comes from the Latin root associated with nature and natural character. In contemporary usage, its strongest social sense is the granting of citizenship, while its broader figurative sense suggests making the unfamiliar seem familiar.
To adapt a foreign-born person to a new country and, especially, to grant that person citizenship.
"He was naturalized as a citizen of his adopted country."
This is the most frequent modern social and legal sense. British English commonly spells it naturalise.
To make something appear natural, ordinary, or suited to its surroundings.
"The planting of native trees helps naturalize the new development."
Often used in architecture, landscape design, art, and environmental contexts.
To make a foreign word, expression, or cultural feature seem native to a language or culture.
"The translator worked hard to naturalize the phrase without changing its meaning."
This sense is especially relevant to translation, linguistics, and the adoption of loanwords.
Naturalize can mean making something feel at home—or making a person officially at home in a new country.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does naturalize come from?
The verb derives from the Latin adjective naturalis, meaning “of or according to nature,” a form related to nascens and nasci, “to be born.” English developed natural in the Middle English period and naturalize later, with the sense of making something natural or of bringing a person naturally into a new country. The immigration sense developed from the idea of becoming a naturalized citizen. Cognates in English include natural, naturally, and naturalist.
Related word forms
How naturalize is actually used
In the citizenship sense, naturalize is especially common in North American English; British English often uses naturalise, with the same meaning and a different spelling. In artistic, linguistic, and environmental contexts, naturalize suggests making something seem originally or naturally part of its setting.