Assimilated means having integrated into a larger group or system, often through adaptation or absorption of ideas, customs, or practices. It can also describe something that has been incorporated or absorbed into a surrounding context, showing integration or conformity. In linguistics, it can refer to sounds that have become more like surrounding sounds through phonetic influence. The term conveys a state of being harmonized with a new environment or standard.
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"After moving to a new country, she felt assimilated into the local culture."
"The data from the diverse communities were assimilated into a single report."
"The vowels became assimilated with neighboring consonants, making the word sound smoother."
"Their policies were assimilated into the broader organizational framework over time."
Assimilated comes from the Latin assimilatus, past participle of assimilare, meaning to make alike or to compare. The prefix ad- meaning toward or to, combined with simulare, simulare meaning to imitate, shape, or imitate. In Latin, assimilare itself traces to similis ‘like’ or simul- ‘like, alike,’ connected to the Proto-Italic *selimosos. The sense broadened in English during the 16th–17th centuries to describe the process of becoming like or integrated into a larger system, culture, or language. In modern usage, assimilation often refers to cultural or social integration, as well as the phonetic phenomenon where sounds influence adjacent sounds. Over time, the term has expanded beyond literal absorption to abstract blends and data processing where elements are merged into a cohesive whole.
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Words that rhyme with "assimilated"
-ted sounds
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Pronounce as ə-SIM-ih-lay-ted (US) or ə-SIM-ə-lay-tɪd (UK). Primary stress on the second syllable SIM. Break it into syllables: as-sim-i-lat-ed. IPA: US - /əˈsɪm.ɪˌleɪtɪd/ ; UK - /əˈsɪm.ɪlˌeɪtɪd/. In careful speech, keep the /ˈsɪm/ strong and avoid rushing the -lat- sequence. An audio reference can be found on standard dictionaries or Forvo for native informants.”,
Common errors: misplacing the stress (trying to stress the -lat- instead of -SIM-), over-splitting the syllables (say as-sim-i-lay-ted instead of as-SIM-i-late-d), and dropping the final -ed as /d/ or /ɪd/ when the spoken form often reduces to /t/ or /ɪd/. Correction: keep stress on SIM, practice the schwa-like second syllable, then articulate -lat- with a clear /teɪ/ or /tɪd/ ending depending on connected speech. Use slow practice with IPA cues: /əˈsɪm.ɪˌleɪ.tɪd/ or /əˈ sɪm.ɪl.ˌeɪtɪd/ as appropriate.”},{
US typically preserves the second syllable with a clear /ɪ/ or a reduced schwa, and the final -ed often realized as /ɪd/ or /tɪd/ in careful speech but reduced to /d/ in rapid speech. UK commonly features a slightly lighter first 'a' and a more clipped ending with /tɪd/ or /t/. Australian tends to have a flatter vowel in the second syllable and a more lenient /ɪ/ or /ə/ in the final syllable, with less rhotic influence. Overall, the primary stress remains on SIM in all dialects; vowel quality and final consonant timing vary.”},{
It blends several features: a two-consonant onset cluster in the second syllable, a mid- to high-front vowel in -sim-, and a final -lated tail sequence that can creep into a cluster, making timing tricky. The combination of /ˈsɪm/ followed by a lighter /ɪ/ or /ə/ and the /ˌleɪ/ or /lə/ requires precise tongue position and lip rounding. Also, the final -ed can be devoiced in fast speech, which shifts the ending. Focusing on steady syllable-timed rhythm helps.
Yes. Assimilated is the past participle/adjective form, typically pronounced with a heavier, longer -ated tail and often a reduced final vowel in rapid speech, depending on the context. Assimilate is the base verb, with a lighter and more compact ending as you inflect. Stress remains on the second syllable of assimilate in most forms, but in assimilated, the trailing -ed can shift or reduce, depending on speech tempo. IPA references reflect the past participle form: /əˈsɪm.ɪˌleɪ.tɪd/.
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