canonize
/ˈkænənaɪz/
"canonize" is a 8-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.
The verdict
“canonize” is uncommon English (outside the top frequency list), classed as a verb. The kind of spelling people second-guess.
- Unranked
- below top-frequency English
- 8
- letters
According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - To declare (a deceased person) as a saint, and enter them into the canon of saints.
Corpus desk
Index EN-canonize · canonize · English
canonize · unranked · 0 variants · 0 confusables
- FREQ-UNRANKED Unranked
- LEN-LONG 8 letters
- VOW-4 4 vowels
- CONFUS-0 No pairs
- VAR-0 0 variants
- BOOK-THIN "C" thin
- PHOTO-UNK Peer pending
Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern
Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Headword | canonize |
| Language | English |
| Part of speech | Verb |
| IPA | /ˈkænənaɪz/ |
| Letters | 8 |
| Misspellings tracked | 0 |
| Confusable pairs | 0 |
| Source | Wiktionary (kaikki.org) |
Long-tail rank of “canonize” in English
Rare enough to double-check
canonize is uncommon English outside the top frequency list, classed as averb, transcribed /ˈkænənaɪz/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 5 senses are on record.
canonize has no tracked misspelling variants, a sign its spelling follows regular English conventions. This entry stands alone in our confusable dataset, which usually means its spelling is distinct enough that readers don't reach for a similar-looking word instead.
Etymologically, the entry records: From Late Middle English canonizen (“to declare as a saint; to appoint to an ecclesiastical office”), from Old French canonisier (modern French canoniser (“to canonize”)), or from its etymon Medieval Latin, Late Latin canōnizāre, the present active infiniti… The correct English form is canonize, spelled C-A-N-O-N-I-Z-E.
Definition
- 1To declare (a deceased person) as a saint, and enter them into the canon of saints.
- 2To regard as a saint; to glorify, to exalt to the highest honour.
- 3To formally declare (a piece of religious writing) to be part of the biblical canon.
- 4To regard (an artistic or written work or its creator) as one of a group that are representative of a particular field.
- 5Especially of a church: to give official approval to; to authorize, to sanction.
Recorded use
Wiktionary examplesThese source excerpts show how canonize appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.
Thomas Becket was canonized in 1173.
Wée maye woorſhippe neyther the Virgine Marie, neyther the Apoſtles, neyther any Saincte, neyther make holy dayes, or Temples for them, muche leſſe Canonize them, which comprehendeth all theſe.
Etymology
From Late Middle English canonizen (“to declare as a saint; to appoint to an ecclesiastical office”), from Old French canonisier (modern French canoniser (“to canonize”)), or from its etymon Medieval Latin, Late Latin canōnizāre, the present active infinitive of Latin canōnizō (“to recognize as a saint, canonize; to declare as authoritative or official”), from Latin canōn (“measuring line; (figurative) precept, rule, canon; authorized catalogue”) + -izō (suffix forming verbs). The English word is analysable as canon (“general principle, rule; authoritative group of works; catalogue of saints canonized in the Roman Catholic Church”) + -ize.
This word in other languages
Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.