Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

rationalize

/ˈɹæʃənəlaɪz/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.89 in modern English

Syllables
ra-tio-nal-ize
IPA
/ˈɹæʃənəlaɪz/
20
Scrabble Score
11
Letters
4
Syllables
9
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To make something rational or more rational.

American usage

verb

To justify a discreditable act, or irrational behaviour.

American usage

verb

To remove radicals, without changing the value of an expression or the roots of an equation.

American usage

Example Sentences

Etymology

From French rationaliser. By surface analysis, rational + -ize.

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈɹæʃənəlaɪz/

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Synonyms

Homonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce rationalize?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɹæʃənəlaɪz/.
What does rationalize mean?
To make something rational or more rational.
Where does rationalize come from?
From French rationaliser. By surface analysis, rational + -ize.

How to pronounce rationalize

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “rationalize”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈɹæʃənəlaɪz/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “rationalize”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “rationalize” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.