ENGLISH
REFERENCE

customize

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈkəstəˌmaɪz// cus·tom·ize

v. to change something so that it fits your personal needs or tastes. You do this to make an object or a computer program work exactly how you want it to.

v. to modify something to suit a particular individual or task. Often refers to the adjustment of software settings or the physical alteration of consumer goods.


SIMPLE

You can customize the home screen on your phone.

CONTEXTUAL

The software allows users to customize their dashboard so they only see the most relevant data.

COMPLEX

While mass production lowered costs, modern manufacturing now allows companies to customize products for individual clients without significantly increasing the final retail price.

Synonyms
Origin

From custom + -ize. First attested in 1934 in American English.

Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object. In British English, it is frequently spelled 'customise'.

Pitfall

I customized to my carI customized my carThe verb is transitive and should not be followed by the preposition 'to' before the object.

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