Standard Lemma guide

fetishize

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To make the subject of (often sexual) obsession.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Our society has fetishized personal wealth.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To make the subject of (often sexual) obsession.

To view or treat (someone) in a way that reduces that person to a sexually charged, racial stereotype; to racially objectify.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To make into a fetish, or magical object.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

make a fetish of

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: adore

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *dheh1- Proto-Indo-European *dheh1k- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *dhh1kyéti Proto-Italic *θakjō Proto-Italic *fakjō Latin faciō Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Italic *-tos Latin -tus Latin factus Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -īcus Proto-Indo-European *-(i)yós Proto-Italic *-ijos Proto-Italic *-ios Old Latin -ios Latin -ius Latin -īcius Latin factīcius Portuguese feitiçobor. French fétichebor. English fetish Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō)bor. Late Latin -izōder. Middle French -iserbor. Middle English -isen English -ize English fetishize From fetish + -ize.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: fétichiser — to make a fetish of
  • Japanese: フェチ化する — to make a fetish of
  • Spanish: fetichizar — to make a fetish of
  • Turkish: fetişize etmek — to make a fetish of