relexicalize

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verb

To change the lexicon of; to use different words for.

“to relexicalize a word”

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Meanings

verbrelexicalize (third-person singular simple present relexicalizes, present participle relexicalizing, simple past and past participle relexicalized)

present singular third person relexicalizes · participle present relexicalizing · participle past relexicalized · past relexicalized

  1. transitivehuman sciencesTo change the lexicon of; to use different words for.

    For example, in British newspapers, […] the process of telling someone off or reprimanding them is relexicalized as 'rap'. To criticize strongly is to 'blast' or 'slam', and to investigate is to 'probe'.

    2013, Michael Higgins, Angela Smith, The Language of Journalism: A Multi-genre Perspective, page 71
  2. transitivehuman sciencesTo borrow or adopt back into a lexicon.

    to relexicalize a word

Origin

From re- + lexicalize.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

relexicalize. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/relexicalize

MLA

“relexicalize.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/relexicalize. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “relexicalize,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/relexicalize.

Source: relexicalize on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.