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reify — To make an abstract idea, concept, or quality into something concrete or real.

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: To make an abstract idea, concept, or quality into something concrete or real.

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈriː.ɪ.faɪ/

Example Sentences

  • My professor loves to reify abstract philosophy with hilarious analogies, like comparing existentialism to a broken vending machine.
  • Advertisers often reify happiness as a product you can buy, which is why we all own way too many pillows.
  • Scientists often reify complex theories into simple diagrams to help students understand.

reify

VERB

[/ˈriː.ɪ.faɪ/]

To make an abstract idea, concept, or quality into something concrete or real.

The architect used a 3D printer to reify her sketch into a real model.
💡 Concept

The architect used a 3D printer to reify her sketch into a real model.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈriː.ɪ.faɪ/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈriː.ɪ.faɪ/

🌳Etymology

Rootres-
Suffix--ify

Origin

From Latin 'res' meaning 'thing', combined with the suffix '-fy' meaning 'to make'.

Breakdown

res- (thing) + -ify (to make/cause to become)

🎵Rhyme

verify
clarify
purify

🔗Collocations

reify a concept
reify an idea
reify abstract notions
socially reified
reify social constructs
tend to reify
reify emotions

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My professor loves to reify abstract philosophy with hilarious analogies, like comparing existentialism to a broken vending machine.”

😄 Fun example

“Advertisers often reify happiness as a product you can buy, which is why we all own way too many pillows.”

“Scientists often reify complex theories into simple diagrams to help students understand.”

“It's fascinating how language can reify emotions we can barely explain.”

📚Related Words

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