Fraternize
/ˈfrætərˌnaɪz/
verbB2
Definition
To fraternize means to form friendly relationships or spend time with others, often in a way that is unusual or not allowed, especially between groups that are different or supposed to stay separate. It is often used when talking about people from different teams, groups, or social classes who meet and act like friends.
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See It in Action
To be friendly or form close relationships, especially when not expected or allowed
- •Soldiers were told not to fraternize with the enemy during the war.
- •Employees are discouraged from fraternizing with their managers outside work.
- •The two rival groups began to fraternize despite the rules against it.
To spend time in a friendly way with others, often crossing usual boundaries
- •The students fraternized with people from different social classes at the party.
- •He was criticized for fraternizing with competitors in the business.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'fraternize' like 'make friends,' but with a rule that says you should not do it in this situation
- ✓Picture two people from different teams shaking hands and talking quietly, even though their teams are supposed to compete and not mix
- ✓It's the feeling when you want to be friendly, but you know others might not approve because of rules or traditions
- ✓Sounds like 'FRAT-er-nize' → imagine a group of college brothers ('frat' = brotherhood) deciding to be friendly with people outside their group
- ✓Remember stories or movies where soldiers from opposite sides secretly talk or share food, even though they are enemies
- ✓NOT like 'socialize' (which is normal and allowed), fraternize often means making friends where it is unusual or forbidden
- ✓NOT like 'ignore' or 'avoid' — fraternize is about joining and being friendly, not staying apart
Try Other Words
- •Socialize: spend time with others in a friendly way (Use when friendship is normal and allowed)
- •Associate: connect or spend time with certain people (Use when talking about general connections, not necessarily forbidden)
- •Mix: join or be part of a group (Use informally when people from different groups meet)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: 'fratern-' (from Latin 'frater' meaning brother) + '-ize' (a verb ending meaning to make or become)
- •Etymology: From Latin 'fraternizari,' meaning to behave like brothers or be friendly
- •Historical development: Originally meant to act like brothers or be friendly, later gained the meaning of forming friendships where it might be unexpected or not allowed
- •Modern usage: Often used in military, workplace, or social contexts to warn against forming friendships across certain boundaries
Reflect & Connect
•Why do some rules stop people from fraternizing, and how do those rules affect friendships?
•Can fraternizing sometimes help people understand each other better, even if it breaks rules?
Fill in the blanks
1.Soldiers were ordered not to fraternize with the enemy because it could ___ security risks.
2.When employees fraternize with their bosses, it might ___ problems in the workplace.
3.Fraternize is different from just making friends because it often means crossing ___ or rules.
4.The manager warned the team not to fraternize ___ the competitors to avoid conflicts.
5.At the party, people from different groups began to fraternize, showing that ___ can break social barriers.
6.Sometimes, fraternize is used when people secretly ___ with others they are not supposed to.
7.If someone fraternizes too much in a strict environment, they might ___ trust from their own group.