# customize

/ˈkəstəˌmaɪz/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/customize
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- You can customize the home screen on your phone.
- The software allows users to customize their dashboard so they only see the most relevant data.
- While mass production lowered costs, modern manufacturing now allows companies to customize products for individual clients without significantly increasing the final retail price.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I customized to my car" but "I customized my car" — The verb is transitive and should not be followed by the preposition 'to' before the object.

## Usage notes

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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.