What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
colonialise
Example
During the 19th century, European powers sought to colonialise various parts of Africa. [colonialise: verb]
Example
The British Empire was known for its efforts to colonialise many countries around the world. [colonialise: verb]
colonize
Example
The Pilgrims sailed from England to colonize the New World. [colonize: verb]
Example
The Spanish colonized South America and brought their culture and language. [colonized: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Colonize is more commonly used than colonialise in everyday language, especially in American English. Colonize is widely recognized and understood, while colonialise may be less familiar to non-British English speakers.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between colonialise and colonize?
While colonize is generally considered more formal, both words can be used in formal and informal contexts depending on the audience and purpose of communication.
