lionization
|li-on-i-za-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌlaɪənəˈzeɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌlaɪənaɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
(lionize)
treat as a celebrity
Etymology
'lionization' originates from French, specifically the word 'lioniser', where 'lion' referred to the animal 'lion' and the suffix '-iser' (or English '-ize') meant 'to make or treat as'.
'lionization' changed from French 'lioniser' into English verb 'lionize' in the 19th century and eventually formed the modern English noun 'lionization' by adding the noun-forming suffix '-ation'.
Initially, the root idea was literally 'to make or treat as a lion' (metaphorical sense), but over time it evolved into the current meaning 'to treat someone as a celebrity or give them excessive public praise.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the action or practice of treating a person as a celebrity or giving them excessive public praise and attention.
The politician's sudden lionization by the media changed public perception overnight.
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Noun 2
the state of being treated as an object of great public admiration or fascination.
Her novel's success led to her lionization in literary circles.
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Last updated: 2025/12/23 11:28