Localize: meaning, definitions and examples

🌍
Add to dictionary

localize

 

[ ˈloʊ.kəl.aɪz ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

in software development

To adapt a product or service to a particular language, culture, or market.

Synonyms

adapt, customize, translate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
localize

Use when you want to adjust content, products, or services to meet the specific needs of a local market or audience. This often involves changes in language, cultural references, and regional preferences.

  • The app needs to be localized for the Japanese market.
  • We are localizing the website content to better suit our Spanish customers.
adapt

Applicable when you're modifying something to fit new conditions or using it for a different purpose. This can involve technical, linguistic, or contextual changes but doesn't necessarily imply a complete translation.

  • The marketing strategy was adapted for online channels.
  • The book was adapted into a movie.
translate

Used when converting text or speech from one language to another. Focus is mainly on changing the language, but it might not involve cultural or contextual adaptation.

  • She translated the document from French to English.
  • The instructions need to be translated into multiple languages.
customize

Best used when personalizing or tailoring something to fit individual preferences or specific requirements of a customer or client.

  • You can customize the dashboard according to your needs.
  • The software allows users to customize their profiles.

Examples of usage

  • Before launching the app globally, they needed to localize it for different regions.
  • The company decided to localize their website in order to attract more international customers.

Translations

Translations of the word "localize" in other languages:

🇵🇹 localizar

🇮🇳 स्थानीयकरण करना

🇩🇪 lokalisieren

🇮🇩 lokalisasi

🇺🇦 локалізувати

🇵🇱 lokalizować

🇯🇵 ローカライズする

🇫🇷 localiser

🇪🇸 localizar

🇹🇷 yerelleştirmek

🇰🇷 현지화하다

🇸🇦 توطين

🇨🇿 lokalizovat

🇸🇰 lokalizovať

🇨🇳 本地化

🇸🇮 lokalizirati

🇮🇸 staðfæra

🇰🇿 локализациялау

🇬🇪 ლოკალიზება

🇦🇿 lokallaşdırmaq

🇲🇽 localizar

Etymology

The term 'localize' originated in the early 20th century, derived from the word 'local' with the suffix '-ize' added to indicate the action of making something local. Initially used in the context of linguistics, it later expanded to include various industries such as software development and marketing.

See also: local, locale, locales, localism, locality, localization, localized, locals.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,138, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.