Personalize: Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：make individual (personalize)

personalize 🔊

/ˈpɜːsənəlaɪz/

vt.

To change something so that it is specially suited to one particular person, like adding their name, photos, or preferences.

Personalize definition illustrated by a person customizing a T-shirt design on a laptop screen.

make individual 🔊

➕

/meɪk ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəl/

vt.

To adapt or modify something according to the specific needs, preferences, or characteristics of a particular person.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'person' (Latin 'persona' - individual) + suffix '-alize' (to make, to render).

💡 Mnemonic

Think: PERSON-ALIZE = to make something suitable for a specific PERSON, like customizing its size.

📖 Example

Most phone apps now allow you to personalize the home screen with your favorite widgets and background picture. 🔊 Most phone apps now allow you to make your home screen individual by adding your favorite widgets and background picture.

🔗 Collocations

personalize a product – To customize a product for an individual user.

personalized service – Service tailored specifically to a client's needs.

personalize settings – To adjust the configuration options to one's own liking.

🔄 Synonyms

customize (vt.) – To modify something to suit a particular individual or task.

tailor (vt.) – To make or adapt something for a particular purpose or person.

individualize (vt.) – To give an individual character to; to particularize.

🚫 Antonyms

standardize (vt.) – To cause something to conform to a standard.

depersonalize (vt.) – To remove the individual characteristics or identity from.

🌱 Derivatives

personalization (n.) – The action of personalizing something.

personalized (adj.) – Designed or tailored to meet an individual's requirements.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from 'person', from Latin 'persona' meaning 'human being, individual'. The concept of tailoring goods and services to the individual gained immense importance with the rise of mass production in the 19th century and modern marketing in the 20th century, leading to the common use of 'personalize'.