Word of the Day - 11/19/25
lionize
/'laɪə,naɪz/(v.): assign great social importance to
After his heroic act, the firefighter was lionized by the community and received numerous awards.
Word Origin
The word 'lionize' originated in the English language in the early 19th century. It is formed from the noun 'lion' and the suffix '-ize'. The 'lion' part refers to the majestic animal, which historically symbolized strength, courage, and royalty. The suffix '-ize' comes from Greek '-izein', via Latin and Old French, meaning 'to make, to treat, or to become like'. To 'lionize' someone therefore means to treat them like a lion, elevating them to a position of great importance, admiration, and celebrity.