scandalize

/ˈskændəlaɪz/

//ˈskændəlaɪz// verb

"scandalize" is a 10-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“scandalize” is uncommon English (outside the top frequency list), classed as a verb. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

Unranked
below top-frequency English
10
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - To cause great offense to (someone).

Corpus desk

Index EN-scandalize · scandalize · English

scandalize · unranked · 0 variants · 0 confusables

  • FREQ-UNRANKED Unranked
  • LEN-MEGA 10 letters
  • VOW-4 4 vowels
  • CONFUS-0 No pairs
  • VAR-0 0 variants
  • BOOK-THIN "S" 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.

Key facts for scandalize
PropertyValue
Headwordscandalize
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ˈskændəlaɪz/
Letters10
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Long-tail rank of “scandalize” in English

scandalizeranks outside the top 100,000 English headwords, in the long tail of specialist, archaic, or seldom-used vocabulary, exactly the territory where a reader stops mid-sentence to double-check spelling.

Beyond rank #100,000. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Rare enough to double-check

scandalize is uncommon English outside the top frequency list, classed as averb, transcribed /ˈskændəlaɪz/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 4 senses are on record.

Zero misspellings are on record for scandalize in our index, a sign its spelling follows regular English conventions. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, since its spelling is unusual enough that it doesn't cluster with a lookalike.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Latin scandalizō, from Ancient Greek σκανδαλίζω (skandalízō). By surface analysis, scandal + -ize. The correct English form is scandalize, spelled S-C-A-N-D-A-L-I-Z-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    To cause great offense to (someone).
  2. 2
    To reproach.
  3. 3
    To disgrace.
  4. 4
    To libel.

Recorded use

Wiktionary examples

These source excerpts show how scandalize appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.

  1. Woe to thee who art often wandering abroad, and spendest thy time unprofitably, and scandalizest others.
  2. Thou scandalizest me and irritatest my nature as much as it possibly can be irritated.

Etymology

From Latin scandalizō, from Ancient Greek σκανδαλίζω (skandalízō). By surface analysis, scandal + -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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "scandalize"?
"scandalize" is spelled S-C-A-N-D-A-L-I-Z-E. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈskændəlaɪz/.
What does "scandalize" mean?
As a verb, "scandalize" means: To cause great offense to (someone).
How do you pronounce "scandalize"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "scandalize" is /ˈskændəlaɪz/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "scandalize"?
From Latin scandalizō, from Ancient Greek σκανδαλίζω (skandalízō). By surface analysis, scandal + -ize. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list