izein

izein is a term from Greek linguistics that refers to a class of verbs formed with the meaning “to cause to become” or “to make into.” In classical and later Greek, -izein functions as an infinitive suffix used to derive verbs from nouns, adjectives, or stems, producing words that express bringing something into a new state or condition. Examples in antiquity and later varieties include compounds formed with a base meaning “to render X,” such as katharizein (to purify) and democratizein (to democratize). The exact pronunciation and use varied over time across dialects, but the pattern of turning a root into a verb of causing change was productive in Greek.

In the history of English, the Greek infinitive -izein gave rise to the English suffix -ize (and the British spelling -ise), through Latin and French intermediaries. English -ize/-ize verbs typically convey turning something into a state, making it have a certain quality, or otherwise applying a property. Common examples include realize, organize, modernize, symbolize, and many others. Though many -ize verbs share a Greek origin, the overall family in English also contains words borrowed through Latin, French, and Germanic paths, so not every -ize verb is a direct Greek loan, but the suffix traces back to the Greek -izein formation.

Etymologically, -izein is related to the broader process of derivational suffixation in Greek, and its trajectory into English illustrates how ancient Greek morphology contributed to a large, productive set of modern English verbs. The related morphemes form the basis for the noun-to-verb and adjective-to-verb processes seen in many languages.