verb
- converting a concept, phrase, or grammatical construction into a single lexical item or word
Usage: linguistics; present participle of lexicalize
Examples
- The linguist is lexicalizing the compound phrase into a single term.
- Languages are constantly lexicalizing new expressions from popular culture.
- The process of lexicalizing technical jargon makes it part of standard vocabulary.
- Researchers study how communities are lexicalizing borrowed words.
- The dictionary committee is lexicalizing several internet slang terms.
- Lexicalizing these concepts will help standardize the terminology.