Personalize: meaning, definitions and examples

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personalize

 

[ ˈpɜː(r)sənəlaɪz ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

communication

To design or tailor something to meet an individual's specific needs or preferences.

Synonyms

customize, individualize, tailor.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
personalize

Use this when making something more suited to a particular individual by adding unique touches or details specific to them.

  • She personalized her phone case with pictures of her dog.
  • The website allows you to personalize your profile page with different themes.
customize

Best used for adapting or modifying something according to specific requirements or preferences. Often used in the context of products, software, or services.

  • You can customize your car by choosing different features and colors.
  • The software allows users to customize their dashboard layout.
tailor

Often used for making adjustments to suit a particular person, role, or purpose, especially in professional contexts. It implies a more detailed and careful adjustment.

  • The consultant tailored her advice to fit the company's specific challenges.
  • He tailored his resume for each job application to highlight relevant skills.
individualize

Mostly used in formal or educational settings to highlight a focus on the individual characteristics, needs, or learning styles.

  • The teacher individualized her lesson plans to cater to each student's learning style.
  • Health plans should be individualized to address specific patient needs.

Examples of usage

  • She personalized the gift by adding his initials to it.
  • The company personalized the user experience by allowing customers to customize their profiles.
Context #2 | Verb

marketing

To make something more appealing or relevant to a specific person or group.

Synonyms

customize, tailor, target.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
personalize

Use this when you want to make something specific to an individual's preferences or needs. Typically used in marketing, customer service, or product design.

  • They personalize their email campaigns to suit individual customer interests.
  • You can personalize the settings on your phone to match your preferences.
customize

Appropriate in situations where you modify something according to the user's specifications. It often implies a more detailed or intricate change compared to 'personalize'.

  • We can customize the software to meet the specific needs of your business.
  • She customized her car with a unique paint job and new wheels.
target

Use this when directing efforts or focusing on a specific group or individual. Frequently used in marketing, advertising, and strategic planning.

  • Our new campaign targets young professionals.
  • You need to target your message to the right audience.
tailor

Best used when you are adjusting or fitting something specifically for someone. Commonly used in clothing, services, or presentations.

  • The suit was tailored to fit him perfectly.
  • We can tailor our services to match your company's requirements.

Examples of usage

  • The advertisement was personalized to target young adults.
  • The email campaign was successful because it was personalized to each recipient.
Context #3 | Noun

psychology

The process of internalizing and integrating personal values and beliefs into one's identity.

Synonyms

integration, internalization, self-awareness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
personalize

Use when referring to customizing or adapting something to meet individual preferences or needs.

  • She decided to personalize her laptop with stickers
  • The software allows users to personalize their settings
internalization

Use when referring to the process of making beliefs, values, or norms an integral part of one's own self.

  • Through internalization, he slowly adopted the principles of the organization
  • The internalization of healthy habits is important for long-term success
integration

Use when referring to the process of combining or incorporating different elements into a whole.

  • The integration of new technology into the existing system was seamless
  • Social integration is vital for community cohesion
self-awareness

Use when referring to conscious knowledge of one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires.

  • Improving self-awareness can lead to better emotional intelligence
  • Her self-awareness helped her navigate the difficult situation with grace

Examples of usage

  • His journey of personalization led to a deeper understanding of himself.
  • Personalization is a crucial aspect of forming a strong sense of self.

Translations

Translations of the word "personalize" in other languages:

🇵🇹 personalizar

🇮🇳 व्यक्तिगत बनाना

🇩🇪 personalisieren

🇮🇩 mempersonalisasikan

🇺🇦 персоналізувати

🇵🇱 spersonalizować

🇯🇵 個人化する

🇫🇷 personnaliser

🇪🇸 personalizar

🇹🇷 kişiselleştirmek

🇰🇷 개인화하다

🇸🇦 تخصيص

🇨🇿 personalizovat

🇸🇰 personalizovať

🇨🇳 个性化

🇸🇮 personalizirati

🇮🇸 sérsníða

🇰🇿 жекешелендіру

🇬🇪 პერსონალიზაცია

🇦🇿 şəxsiləşdirmək

🇲🇽 personalizar

Etymology

The word 'personalize' originated from the combination of 'personal' and the suffix '-ize', which means 'to make' or 'to become'. The concept of personalization has become increasingly important in modern society, especially in the realms of marketing, technology, and psychology. By tailoring experiences, products, and services to individual preferences, personalization aims to create more meaningful and relevant interactions. This word reflects the value placed on individuality and customization in today's world.

See also: impersonal, personalization, personalized, personalizing.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,941, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.