Lexicalized

Lexicalized is the adjective form of lexicalize. In linguistics, to lexicalize something is to treat it as a lexeme, a unit with a stable lexical meaning and predictable syntactic behavior, rather than as a product of productive grammatical rules. When a word, phrase, or construction becomes lexicalized, it enters the lexicon as a fixed item: its form and meaning are conventionalized and largely unpredictable from its parts. The past participle “lexicalized” is used to describe such items or processes, for example idioms or compounds that function as single lexical units.

Examples and scope: Idioms like “kick the bucket” are often described as lexicalized because their meaning cannot be derived from the meanings of the individual words. Certain compounds—such as “greenhouse,” “butterfly,” or “software”—are frequently treated as lexicalized units, even if some degree of compositionality remains.

Distinctions: Lexicalization is distinct from grammaticalization, where a lexical item or construction loses part of its independent lexical meaning and acquires grammatical function (for instance, a phrase becoming a fixed grammatical marker). Lexicalization can also apply to loanwords or neologisms that are adopted into a language’s standard vocabulary.

In practice: Lexicalized items are typically cataloged in dictionaries and analyzed in terms of their semantics, morphology, and usage. They influence how speakers combine words, what meanings are accessible, and how new expressions spread within a language.