Word
assimilate
Phoneticsas·sim·i·late, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈsɪməˌɫeɪt/
UK/ɐsˈɪmɪlˌeɪt/
Definition
v. to become part of a new group or country by learning its language and customs. It can also mean to fully understand and take in new information.
v. to integrate into a wider society or culture by adopting its customs and attitudes; to absorb and incorporate information or ideas into the mind.
Examples
“New residents often try to assimilate into the local community.”
“It takes time for students to fully assimilate the complex theories presented during the first semester of the course.”
“The challenge for many immigrant families is to assimilate into the host culture while simultaneously preserving the linguistic and culinary traditions of their heritage.”
Examples
simple
“New residents often try to assimilate into the local community.”
contextual
“It takes time for students to fully assimilate the complex theories presented during the first semester of the course.”
complex
“The challenge for many immigrant families is to assimilate into the host culture while simultaneously preserving the linguistic and culinary traditions of their heritage.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'into' when referring to social integration. Transitive when referring to the absorption of information.
Pitfall
They assimilated to the new culture.
They assimilated into the new culture.
When describing integration into a group or society, 'assimilate' typically takes the preposition 'into' rather than 'to'.
Real-World Examples
“It will, though, clearly be a significant time before every new signing is assimilated.” “He also knows his well-spoken accent makes it easier to assimilate.” Etymology
First attested in the early 15ᵗʰ century, in Middle English; Middle English assimilaten (“to become similar; to make like”), from assimilat(e) (“assimilated”, also used as the past participal of assimilaten) + -en (verb-forming suffix), borrowed from Late Latin assimilātus, variant of Latin assimulātus (“made similar, imitated”), perfect passive participle of assimulō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from ad + simulō (“to imitate, copy”), from similis (“like, similar”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *sem- (“together, one”). Doublet of assemble.
First attested in the early 15ᵗʰ century, in Middle English; from Middle English assimilat(e) (“made like”, used as the participle of assimilaten), see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) and Etymology 1 for more; the noun was derived from the participle through substantivization, see -ate (noun-forming suffix). Participial usage up until Early Modern English.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/assimilate