sexualized
|sex-u-al-ized|
🇺🇸
/ˈsɛkʃəˌlaɪzd/
🇬🇧
/ˈsɛkʃuəˌlaɪzd/
(sexualize)
make sexual
Etymology
'sexualize' originates from English, specifically formed from 'sexual' and the suffix '-ize', where 'sexual' comes from Latin 'sexus' meaning 'sex' and the suffix '-ize' comes from Greek '-izein' meaning 'to make or do'.
'sexualize' was formed in Modern English by combining the adjective 'sexual' (from Latin 'sexualis', derived from 'sexus') with the verb-forming suffix '-ize' (from Greek '-izein' via Latin and French), resulting in the modern English verb 'sexualize'.
Initially, the root meant 'sex' (from Latin 'sexus'), and 'sexual' meant 'relating to sex'; over time the derived verb 'sexualize' evolved to mean 'to make sexual' or 'to portray something or someone in a sexual way', which is the contemporary sense.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'sexualize'.
They sexualized the character in later adaptations.
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Adjective 1
made to appear sexual or given sexual characteristics; presented or depicted in a sexual manner.
The campaign was criticized for its sexualized images of young women.
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Last updated: 2026/01/18 09:16