assimilate

[ verb uh-sim-uh-leyt; noun uh-sim-uh-lit, -leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, as·sim·i·lat·ed, as·sim·i·lat·ing.

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 or with ).
5. to compare; liken (usually followed by to or with ).
6. Phonetics. to modify by assimilation.

verb (used without object)

, as·sim·i·lat·ed, as·sim·i·lat·ing.

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 or with ).
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. usually foll byinto or with to bring or come into harmony; adjust or become adjusted

   the new immigrants assimilated easily

5. usually foll byto or with 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''

Derived Forms

• asˈsimiˌlator, noun
• asˈsimilative, adjective
• asˈsimilatively, adverb
• asˈsimilable, adjective
• asˈsimilably, adverb
• asˌsimiˈlation, noun

Other Words From

• as·simi·lator noun
• nonas·simi·lating adjective
• reas·simi·late verb reassimilated reassimilating
• unas·simi·lated adjective
• unas·simi·lating adjective
• well-as·simi·lated 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

Vance also drew a distinction between the Christian far-right and what he called “real religious tyranny” of Muslim immigrants who “don’t necessarily assimilate into Western values.”

From Salon

“Where you see actual, real religious tyranny is increasingly in Western societies, where you've had a large influx of immigrants who don't necessarily assimilate into Western values.”

From Salon

“I’ve had three men who lived with me from Chad, Mauritania and Ecuador. The one from Chad was tortured by the government and his father was killed. They face cultural shock when they come here, particularly the role women play in society. It’s hard for them to assimilate.”

From Los Angeles Times

The ignorance — yes, we assimilate, and no, we’re not sleeper agents hell-bent on retaking the American Southwest through demographics and enchiladas — mostly amuses me when it doesn’t offend.

From Los Angeles Times

"Our leader right now is so corrupt and so vile, that if you assimilate into their culture, you're assimilating into like, garbage liberal elite culture. You're not assimilating into traditional American culture," the congressman says.

From Salon

Related Words

• accommodate
• adapt
• blend in
• homogenize