# local

/ˈɫoʊkəɫ/ (US) · /lˈəʊkəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/local
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. nearby

adjective · CEFR A2

relating to the particular area you are in or the area where you live.

For teachers: pertaining to a particular area, neighbourhood, or town; restricted to a specific place.

- We always try to buy local vegetables from the market down the street.
- The local council met last night to discuss the proposed changes to the town's parking regulations.

### 2. computing

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

connected directly to your computer or accessible without using the internet.

For teachers: relating to a computer or device that is directly accessible to a user, rather than one accessed via a network.

- You should save a local copy of the file in case the internet goes down.
- The application stores user preferences in a local database to ensure the interface remains responsive during network outages.

### 3. medical

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

affecting only one part of the body.

For teachers: affecting or involving only a restricted part of an organism or body.

- The doctor gave her a local anaesthetic so she wouldn't feel the needle.
- The patient experienced a local reaction to the sting, characterized by redness and swelling confined to the site of the injury.

### 4. a resident

noun · CEFR B1

a person who lives in a particular area or town.

For teachers: an inhabitant of a particular area or neighbourhood.

- The locals were very friendly and showed us the best places to eat.
- The new development was met with significant opposition from locals who feared it would destroy the village's character.

### 5. a pub

noun · CEFR B1 · British English · Informal

the pub or bar that is nearest to your home and where you go often.

For teachers: a person's nearest or most regularly frequented public house.

- I'm just heading down to the local for a quick drink with my neighbours.
- After the football match, the entire team gathered at the local to celebrate their victory.

### 6. organisation branch

noun · CEFR B2

a small, nearby branch of a large organisation like a workers' union.

For teachers: a local branch of a national or international organisation, especially a trade union.

- The union local voted to go on strike after the talks failed.
- Representatives from the union local met with management to negotiate better safety protocols for the factory floor.

## Examples

- The locals are very friendly to visitors.
- If you want to find the best food in town, you should ask a local for a recommendation.
- While the resort is popular with international travelers, the surrounding shops and markets are primarily frequented by locals who have lived in the valley for generations.

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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.