fraternize
FRAT-ur-nyz
/ˈfrætənaɪz/
Associate or form a friendship with someone, especially when one is not supposed to.
Often carries a negative or forbidden connotation, such as socializing with the enemy, or managers socializing inappropriately with subordinates.
The story behind the word. Fraternize comes from the Medieval Latin 'fraternizare', from 'frater' (brother). It literally means 'to behave like brothers'. In military history, when soldiers from opposing armies ceased fire to share food or songs (such as during the famous Christmas Truce of 1914), they were 'fraternizing'—treating the enemy as brothers.
Word relationships
- associate: Associate is neutral and has no forbidden or rule-breaking connotation, while fraternize often implies crossing a boundary.
- consort: Consort implies associating with someone of low character or bad reputation, whereas fraternize focuses on crossing professional or political lines.
- shun: Shun means to persistently avoid or ignore someone, the exact opposite of fraternizing.
- avoid: Avoid means to stay away from, preventing any fraternization.
Commonly confused with
- patronize: Patronize means to treat someone with condescension or to be a regular customer of a business, while fraternize means to socialize as brothers or equals.
Word family
- fraternization (noun): The action of fraternizing.
- fraternal (adjective): Of or like a brother; brotherly.
Collocations
- forbidden to fraternize
- fraternize with the enemy
- fraternize with subordinates
- strictly fraternize
Idioms & expressions
- rub shoulders with
Example sentences
- "Soldiers were strictly forbidden to fraternize with the local population." A military history book describing rules during an occupation.
- "To avoid conflicts of interest, managers should not fraternize with direct reports outside of work hours." A corporate policy manual.
Memory hook
Think of a college 'frat' (fraternity) where members hang out and socialize like brothers. Socializing like brothers.
When not to use
Do not use for standard, completely encouraged, and normal social interactions unless you want to playfully imply they are forbidden.
Fun facts
- The Christmas Truce of 1914 is the most famous historical example of military fraternization, where British and German soldiers played soccer in No Man's Land.
Related words
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