individualized

USAGE SUMMARY

'individualized' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is tailored to meet the needs of a single person or group. For example, "The student received individualized instruction from the tutor."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In contrast, modern society is constitutively alienated: merely conventional social institutions devoid of meaning exist disconnected from individuals and their highly individualized self-understanding.

SEP

Finally, and this appears to be the primary motivation for Ockham's innovations, there was the question whether one has to regard all individualized common natures signified in the same individual by several predicates in the ten Aristotelian categories as distinct from one another.

SEP

Substances for Aristotle are individuals, but it is much debated whether they are individualized forms or composites of form and matter.

SEP

Leslie Francis (2009) and Anita Silvers (Silvers and Francis 2009) contend that many individuals with severe cognitive impairments can collaborate with others to construct individualized, authentic conceptions of the good.

SEP

The only time individualized warrants are required is when the NSA is specifically targeting a US citizen or the communications are purely domestic.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those guidelines also make clear that, contrary to the repeated assurances from government officials and media figures, the communications of American citizens are – without any individualized warrant – included in what is surveilled.

The Guardian - Opinion

Treatment must be highly individualized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

About 100 plants are peculiar to Madeira, either as indigenous or as highly individualized varieties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Ring belts are individualized with the name and photo of the boxer and become his property.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Jalāyirids continued to develop these characteristics, trying especially to create individualized faces.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As various blood factors are defined in a sample, the percentage of people who have that combination of factors is narrowed, and the sample becomes more individualized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "individualized" to emphasize that something has been specifically designed or adapted for a particular person or situation. This highlights the attention to detail and the unique needs being addressed.

Common error

Avoid using "individualized" when "customized" or "personalized" would be more appropriate. "Individualized" implies a deeper level of tailoring, so reserve it for situations where the adaptation is truly unique and specific to the individual's circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The term "individualized" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that something has been specifically tailored or designed to meet the unique needs or characteristics of an individual. Ludwig confirms its correct usage as an adjective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

30%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "individualized" functions primarily as an adjective, used to describe something tailored to meet specific needs of an individual. Ludwig's analysis affirms its correct grammatical standing and wide applicability. As demonstrated by Ludwig, the term appears frequently in scientific, encyclopedic, and news contexts, signifying its relevance across diverse fields. While generally neutral, "individualized" should be used precisely to denote significant tailoring beyond mere customization or personalization. This ensures clarity and avoids diluting its meaning. For alternatives, consider "custom-made", "tailored", or "personalized" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tailored

Similar to "individualized" but emphasizes adaptation to fit particular requirements.

customized

Suggests modification to meet specific needs or preferences.

personalized

Focuses on making something specific to an individual's preferences or identity.

custom-made

Implies a higher degree of tailoring and creation from scratch to fit specific needs.

adapted

Highlights the process of adjusting something to suit individual circumstances.

bespoke

More formal term indicating custom-made and high quality, especially in British English.

modified

Indicates that something has been altered to better suit individual needs.

specific

Less direct, but can imply something is designed for a particular purpose or person.

distinct

Emphasizes the unique characteristics of something, setting it apart from others.

unique

Highlights the one-of-a-kind nature of something, often implying it is special to an individual.

FAQs

How to use "individualized" in a sentence?

You can use "individualized" to describe something tailored to a specific person or situation, such as "The student received "individualized instruction"" or "The treatment plan was "individualized for each patient"".

What can I say instead of "individualized"?

You can use alternatives like "custom-made", "tailored", or "personalized" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "individualized" or "personalized"?

Both "individualized" and "personalized" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Individualized" emphasizes adaptation to specific needs, while "personalized" focuses on making something specific to an individual's preferences or identity.

What's the difference between "individualized" and "customized"?

"Individualized" often implies a deeper level of tailoring to meet specific personal needs or circumstances, whereas "customized" suggests modifications to meet more general or functional requirements. For example, "individualized treatment" vs. "customized settings".