liquidize

IPA/ˈlɪkwɪdaɪz/
IPA/ˈlɪkwɪdaɪz/

liquidize — verb

  • liquidizepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • liquidizeshe / she / it
  • liquidizedpast simple
  • liquidizing-ing form

1. to use a machine such as a blender or food processor to turn solid food into a s

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to use a machine such as a blender or food processor to turn solid food into a smooth liquid or soft paste that can be drunk or eaten easily

Example

Kiran liquidized the mango and banana with some yogurt, then drank the smoothie on the way to work.

liquidize + fruit + dairy → smoothie drink

You can liquidize boiled carrots and potatoes together to make a soft puree for a baby.

Common collocations
  • liquidize + fruit / vegetables / soup / sauce / leftovers
  • liquidize + in a blender / with a hand blender / in a food processor
  • liquidize + into a smoothie / into a puree / into a sauce
  • liquidized + meals / food / fruit / vegetables (as adjective)
Synonyms
  • puree

    more specific — means to make into a very smooth, thick paste; more common in American English and professional cooking contexts

  • blend

    broader — can mean mixing different ingredients together without necessarily turning them into a liquid; 'blend' does not emphasise the liquid result

  • liquefy

    broader — can mean becoming liquid by melting (e.g. ice liquefies); less common for kitchen blender use

Grammar Patterns

liquidize + something

liquidize + something + into + something

be + liquidized

Usage Note

Commonly used in British English; in American English the verbs 'puree' or 'liquefy' are more frequent for the same action. The past participle 'liquidized' can be used as an adjective before nouns (e.g. 'liquidized fruit', 'liquidized soup').

Common Mistakes

I liquidized the ice cream in the microwave.
I melted the ice cream in the microwave.
'liquidize' refers only to using a blender or similar machine, not to melting by heating.
The company liquidized its assets.
The company liquidated its assets.
'liquidize' is a kitchen/cooking word; for selling assets to get cash, use 'liquidate'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Liquidize' is specifically about using a machine to turn solid food into a drinkable or pourable liquid. 'Blend' is the most general term and simply means mixing two or more things together — you can blend flour and sugar without making them liquid. 'Puree' is closer in meaning but implies a smoother, thicker result (like tomato paste or baby food), and it is far more common in American English than 'liquidize'. 'Liquefy' emphasises the change from solid to liquid state, which can happen through melting (butter liquefies in a hot pan) rather than by machine. 'Pulverize' means to crush into very small pieces or powder, not necessarily a liquid — for example, 'pulverize the crackers into crumbs'. Use 'liquidize' when you want to stress that the result is a drinkable or spoonable liquid made by a blender or food processor.

blend ↗pureeliquefy ↗pulverize

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • liquidize something into a smooth paste

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Liquidize' is formed from the adjective 'liquid' plus the verb-forming suffix '-ize'. 'Liquid' entered Middle English from Old French 'liquide', which came from Latin 'liquidus' meaning 'flowing, fluid, liquid'. The suffix '-ize' comes from Greek '-izein' through Latin '-izare' and Old French '-iser'. The verb 'liquidize' is a relatively modern word, first appearing in the early 20th century alongside the invention of electric blenders and food processors, as a way to describe the specific kitchen action of turning solid ingredients into a drinkable or pourable liquid.