Assimilate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ə-ˈsi-mə-ˌlāt/ (verb) /ə-ˈsi-mə-lət/ (noun) as·sim·i·late

Meaning & Definition of Assimilate

Assimilate (verb)

  1. to take into the mind and thoroughly understand
  2. to take in and utilize as nourishment, to absorb into the system
  3. to absorb into the cultural tradition of a population or group

Assimilate (noun)

  1. something that is assimilated

Assimilate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to describe as similar

    "assimilated the 19th-century American captains of industry and commerce to the medieval barons who exorbitantly taxed shipping along the Rhine"

    similar: analogize, bracket, compare, equate, liken
    related: associate, connect, couple, link, allude, refer, relate, equal, match, parallel
    opposite: contrast

  2. to have a clear idea of

    "still trying to assimilate the doctor's diagnosis of my heart condition"

    similar: appreciate, apprehend, behold, catch, catch on (to), cognize, compass, comprehend, conceive, cotton (to or on to), decipher, decode, dig, discern, get, grasp, grok, intuit, know, make, make out, perceive, recognize, register, savvy, see, seize, sense, tumble (to), twig, understand, pick up on
    related: absorb, digest, take in, realize, fathom, penetrate, pierce
    opposite: miss
    near: misapprehend, misconceive, misconstrue, misinterpret, misperceive, misread, mistake, misunderstand

  3. to make a part of a body or system

    "social workers will need time to assimilate the new arrivals into the community"

    similar: absorb, co-opt, embody, incorporate, integrate
    related: amalgamate, blend, combine, commingle, fuse, intermingle, merge, mingle, acculturate, accustom, condition, enculturate, habituate, naturalize

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Assimilate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Assimilate:

analogize, bracket, compare, equate, liken, appreciate, apprehend, behold, catch, catch on (to), cognize, compass, comprehend, conceive, cotton (to or on to), decipher, decode, dig, discern, get, grasp, grok, intuit, know, make, make out, perceive, recognize, register, savvy, see, seize, sense, tumble (to), twig, understand, absorb, co-opt, embody, incorporate

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Assimilate

Words with the opposite meaning of Assimilate:

contrast, miss

Related Words for Assimilate

associate, connect, couple, link, allude, refer, relate, equal, match, parallel, digest, take in, realize, fathom, penetrate, pierce, amalgamate, blend, combine, commingle, fuse, intermingle, merge, mingle, acculturate, accustom, condition, enculturate, habituate, naturalize

Near Antonyms of Assimilate

misapprehend, misconceive, misconstrue, misinterpret, misperceive, misread, mistake, misunderstand

Word Forms of Assimilate

Inflections: assimilated, assimilating

Derived words: assimilator (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Assimilate

Middle English assimilaten "to make similar," borrowed from Medieval Latin assimilāre, assimulāre "to make similar, digest, compare," going back to Latin, "to pretend, feign, assume the likeness of, cause to resemble, imitate, portray, liken (to)," from as- as- + similāre "to pretend, assume the appearance of by one's conduct, imitate" simulate

First known use: 15th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Assimilate

Frequently Asked Questions about Assimilate

What does "Assimilate" mean?

"Assimilate" means to take into the mind and thoroughly understand. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to take into the mind and thoroughly understand. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Assimilate"?

Other words for "Assimilate" include analogize, bracket, compare, equate, liken, appreciate, apprehend and behold. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Assimilate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Assimilate"?

There are 72 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Assimilate". Common alternatives include analogize, bracket, compare, equate, liken, appreciate, apprehend, behold, catch and catch on (to).

What is the opposite of "Assimilate"?

Antonyms of "Assimilate" include contrast and miss. Near antonyms include misapprehend, misconceive, misconstrue and misinterpret.

How do you use "Assimilate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Assimilate" in a sentence: "assimilated the 19th-century American captains of industry and commerce to the medieval barons who exorbitantly taxed shipping along the Rhine"; "still trying to assimilate the doctor's diagnosis of my heart condition"; "social workers will need time to assimilate the new arrivals into the community".

Is "Assimilate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Assimilate" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Assimilate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Assimilate" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Assimilate"?

"Assimilate" is pronounced /ə-ˈsi-mə-ˌlāt/ as a verb and /ə-ˈsi-mə-lət/ as a noun and divided into syllables as as·sim·i·late.