assimilate

[uh-sim-uh-leyt, uh-sim-uh-lit, -leyt]

verb (used with object)

assimilated, assimilating 

1. to take in and incorporate as one's own; absorb.

   He assimilated many new experiences on his European trip.

2. to bring into conformity with the customs, attitudes, etc., of a dominant social group, nation, or the like; adapt or adjust.

   to assimilate the new immigrants.

3. Physiology.,  to convert (food) to substances suitable for incorporation into the body and its tissues.

4. to cause to resemble (usually followed by to orwith ).

5. to compare; liken (usually followed by to orwith ).

6. Phonetics.,  to modify by assimilation.

verb (used without object)

assimilated, assimilating 

1. to be or become absorbed.

2. to conform or adjust to the customs, attitudes, etc., of a dominant social group, nation, or the like.

   The new arrivals assimilated easily and quickly.

3. Physiology.,  (of food) to be converted into the substance of the body; be absorbed into the system.

4. to bear a resemblance (usually followed by to orwith ).

5. Phonetics.,  to become modified by assimilation.

noun

1. something that is assimilated.

assimilate

/ əˈsɪmɪˌleɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to learn (information, a procedure, etc) and understand it thoroughly

2. (tr) to absorb (food) and incorporate it into the body tissues

3. (intr) to become absorbed, incorporated, or learned and understood

4. to bring or come into harmony; adjust or become adjusted

   the new immigrants assimilated easily

5. to become or cause to become similar

6. (usually foll by to) phonetics to change (a consonant) or (of a consonant) to be changed into another under the influence of one adjacent to it

   (n) often assimilates to ŋ before (k), as in ``include''

Other Word Forms

• assimilator noun
• assimilative adjective
• assimilatively adverb
• assimilable adjective
• assimilably adverb
• assimilation noun
• nonassimilating adjective
• reassimilate verb
• unassimilated adjective
• unassimilating adjective
• well-assimilated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of assimilate¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin assimilātus “likened to, made like” (past participle of assimilāre ), equivalent to as- as- + simil- ( similar ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of assimilate¹

C15: from Latin assimilāre to make one thing like another, from similis like, _similar

Example Sentences

In 1990, he suggested that a test of the willingness of ethic minorities in Britain to assimilate was to see if they supported the England cricket team or the side from their country of origin.

From BBC

In this telling, Mamdani wasn’t simply eating rice — he was signaling foreignness, defiance and a refusal to assimilate.

From Salon

The so-called invading force of my generation assimilated to the point where our kids are named Brandon and Ashley in all sorts of spellings.

From Los Angeles Times

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau defended the exception by claiming that "they can be assimilated easily into our country."

From Salon

Efforts to "assimilate" travellers into Scottish society were first documented in the late 1800s, with the authorities wanting to force Gypsies into "normal" housing.

From BBC

Related Words

• comprehend 
• grasp 
• incorporate 
• understand