Words / C1

GALV-uh-nyz/ˈɡælvənaɪz/

To galvanise (US galvanize) is to shock or stir people into action; also to coat iron with zinc. Spur and jolt are cousins; soothe sits opposite. British spelling keeps -ise. A new logo is not the jolt; an incident log can be.

Meaning

To shock or excite people into taking action (British spelling).

Examples

• “The incident log galvanised the board; the new logo did not.”
• “Spur is a close twin. Motivate is milder and everyday. Zinc-coating is the factory sense. Branding is paint. A dated incident is a fact. Table the log; then the rebrand if you still need it.”

Good to know

Spur into action (British -ise). Close: spur. Also: zinc-coat metal. A logo is not the jolt; a log can be.

Near in meaning

spur

New