categorize

[ kat-i-guh-rahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, cat·e·go·rized, cat·e·go·riz·ing.

1. to arrange in categories or classes; classify.
2. to describe by labeling or giving a name to; characterize.

categorize

/ ˈkætɪɡəˌraɪz /

verb

1. tr to place in a category; classify

Derived Forms

• ˌcategoriˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• cat·e·go·rist [kat, -i-gawr-ist, -gohr-], noun
• cate·go·ri·zation noun
• de·cate·go·ri·zation noun
• de·cate·go·rize verb (used with object) decategorized decategorizing
• mis·cate·go·rize verb (used with object) miscategorized miscategorizing
• mis·cate·go·rized adjective
• re·cate·go·rize verb (used with object) recategorized recategorizing
• subcat·e·go·ri·zation noun
• un·cate·go·rized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of categorize¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; categor(y) + -ize

Example Sentences

"But there's a boundary between the totally unpredictable, the plausible and the totally expected that's hard to categorize. I would call this more of a grey swan."

From Science Daily

Another part of the form that confused applicants was the one asking them to categorize their reason for being unemployed.

From Los Angeles Times

Among left-leaning Americans, there's no dominant religious categorization, at least in the manner that the media categorizes them.

From Salon

“This initiative has been categorized by a lot of bipartisan support,” Kousser added.

From Los Angeles Times

They were categorized as “low” or “minimal” in six states, including New York, Michigan, Nevada and Hawaii.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• classify
• pigeonhole