Meaning & use
assimilating
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“assimilating” is a form of “assimilate”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
In the process of taking in and understanding new ideas or information.
Grammar: Used as a present participle; it needs an object: 'assimilating the facts'.
Patterns
- assimilating something
- assimilating information
- assimilating knowledge
The students are assimilating the new grammar rules slowly but surely.
She is still assimilating all the feedback from her first week at work.
After reading the chapter twice, he felt he was finally assimilating the main ideas.
verbintransitive
In the process of becoming part of a group or culture and adopting its customs.
Grammar: No object; often followed by 'into': 'assimilating into a new community'.
Patterns
- assimilating into something
- assimilating with someone
The family is assimilating into the local community by joining clubs and volunteering.
Immigrants often face challenges while assimilating into a new society.
He is slowly assimilating with his new teammates and learning their habits.
verbtransitivebiologytechnical
In biology, the process by which a living thing absorbs and uses nutrients or energy.
Grammar: Used in technical contexts; often followed by a specific substance: 'assimilating nutrients'.
Patterns
- assimilating nutrients
- assimilating carbon
The plant is assimilating carbon dioxide from the air during photosynthesis.
Our bodies are constantly assimilating vitamins and minerals from food.
The researchers observed the bacteria assimilating nitrogen from the soil.
Word forms
| third person singular | assimilates |
|---|---|
| past tense | assimilated |
| past participle | assimilated |
| -ing form | assimilating |
Common combinations
- assimilating information
- The brain is very good at assimilating information while you sleep.
- assimilating into a culture
- She wrote a diary about assimilating into a new culture.
- assimilating new ideas
- Teachers help students by slowly assimilating new ideas into the lesson.
- assimilating nutrients
- The digestive system is responsible for assimilating nutrients from food.
Synonyms and how they differ
- absorbing
- Similar when talking about taking in information, but 'absorbing' can also mean soaking up liquid and is often more physical.
- integrating
- Closer when talking about becoming part of a group, but 'integrating' emphasizes mixing with others, while 'assimilating' emphasizes becoming similar to them.
Opposites
Word family
- assimilate verb
- To take in and understand information or to become part of a group.
- assimilation noun
- The process of taking in ideas or becoming part of a group.
- assimilative adjective
- Able to take in and absorb things, especially ideas or nutrients.
Commonly confused: assimilating or simulating?
assimilating vs simulating
These sound similar but mean very different things. 'Simulating' means imitating or creating a model of something, while 'assimilating' means absorbing or becoming part of something.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence using 'assimilating'.
Choose one answer.
Option 0 is correct because 'assimilating' takes a direct object when it means understanding information: 'assimilating the new information'. Options 1, 2, and 3 use incorrect prepositions for this meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “assimilating”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.