stylise

Stylise is a verb meaning to render or present something in a particular style, often emphasizing artistic form over naturalistic representation. It can refer to modifying something to conform to a recognizable aesthetic, or to applying a stylization process in art, design, or media. The word is formed from the noun style plus the suffix -ise in British English; American English prefers stylize. The spelling variations extend to related nouns: stylisation in British English and stylization in American English.

In practice, stylising can describe both intentional exaggeration or simplification. In visual arts, a stylised drawing or painting emphasizes shapes, lines, colors, or patterns rather than realistic depiction. In film and animation, stylized works use distinctive design choices—such as bold silhouettes or flat shading—to convey mood or concept. In typography and graphic design, styling may apply to layouts, color schemes, or typographic treatments to create a cohesive aesthetic.

In computing and digital media, stylize may appear as a term for filters or effects that produce a non-photorealistic appearance, such as producing a painting-like or sketch-like look. In software documentation, stylize-like features may implement style-driven transformations rather than changes to underlying content.

See also: stylisation/stylization, stylised/stylized, style, stylus.