Definition of 'externalize'

Word Frequency

externalize

(ɪkstɜːʳnəlaɪz )

Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense externalizes , present participle externalizing , past tense, past participle externalized regional note: in BRIT, also use externalise

verb

If you externalize your ideas or feelings, you express them openly, in words or actions.

[formal]

For the Prime Minister, externalising the problem would divert attention from his domestic troubles. [VERB noun]

These are people who tend to externalize blame when anything goes wrong at work. [VERB noun]

Word Frequency

externalize in British

(ɪkˈstɜːnəˌlaɪz ), exteriorize (ɪkˈstɪərɪəˌraɪz ), externalise or exteriorise

verb (transitive)

to make external; give outward shape to

2. psychology

to attribute (one's own feelings) to one's surroundings

Derived forms

externalization (exˌternaliˈzation), exteriorization (exˌterioriˈzation), externalisation (exˌternaliˈsation) or exteriorisation (exˌterioriˈsation)

noun

Word Frequency

externalize in American

(ɛkˈstɜrnəlˌaɪz ; ekstʉrˈnəlīzˌ; ɪkˈstɜrnəlˌaɪz ; ikstʉrˈnəlīzˌ)

verb transitiveWord forms: exˈternalˌized or exˈternalˌizing

to make external; embody

exteriorize

Derived forms

externalization (exˌternaliˈzation)

noun

Trends of 'externalize'

Used Occasionally. externalize is one of the 30000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Nearby words of 'externalize'

Source

Definition of externalize from the Collins English Dictionary

Have

The verb have is used as an auxiliary verb She has run a lovely, deep, bubble bath. Katie had read about the concert in the newspaper. and also as a main verb. See Tense. She is having a ba...