What does reify mean?
Reify means to make an abstract idea, quality, or concept concrete. A sculpture might reify grief by giving it a physical form; a story might reify a social theory through the actions and experiences of particular characters. The word is useful when discussing how people give shape to concepts that cannot ordinarily be seen or touched, including emotions, identities, beliefs, and systems of thought. In general use it can also suggest making something seem more real or tangible. Reify is more formal and analytical than terms such as “embody” or “materialize,” and its use often implies a deliberate act of representation. It is especially found in literary criticism, philosophy, psychology, design, and academic discussion, where the process of turning abstractions into perceptible examples is important.
verbTo represent an abstract idea, quality, or concept as something concrete, real, or tangible.
- To represent an abstract concept or idea in a concrete form.
- To make something appear real, tangible, or perceptible.
"The sculptures reify abstract ideas about memory and mortality."
"The novel uses recurring objects to reify the narrator's growing anxiety."
"Digital models can help architects reify a design before construction begins."
Reify literally means “make real”: it turns an idea that exists only in thought into something that can be seen, touched, or imagined as a person or thing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of reify
The verb was formed in the 19th century from the Latin combining form re-, meaning “again” or “back,” and facere, “to make or do.” Its development reflects the idea of making an abstract idea real or concrete once more in perceptible form. English words related to reality, including “reality,” “realistic,” and “realization,” also draw on the Latin noun res, meaning “thing.”
Related word forms
How reify is actually used
Relatively formal and especially common in academic, artistic, and analytical contexts. It often describes the representation of an abstraction rather than simply causing something to become physically real.
Easily confused with reify
Realize can mean to make something real or concrete, but it can also mean to understand or become aware of something, which reify does not ordinarily mean.