personalize

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "personalize" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to make something personal, as in to customize it as per a particular individual's tastes, needs, or likes. Example: The online store allowed customers to personalize their orders by customizing the colors, fabrics, and finishes of their desired item.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"If "to personalize" means "to make personal", then "to realize" is "to make real" in the sense of knowing how, knowing about, knowing to" (Rosemont 2012: 47).

SEP

The completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 raised the possibility that scientists would be able to use knowledge of a person's complete genetic makeup to help personalize his or her medical care in ways that would improve health and prolong life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Shared endorsements are the latest example of the continual push by Google and other Web companies to collate in one place the reams of personal information people share online and use it to personalize people's online experiences.

The New York Times

New Yorkers personalize everything, and the shutdown of traffic around town this week was put personally on the head of our visitor, Pope Francis.

The New Yorker

Dropbox says personal information may be used "to provide and improve our service" and "to personalize and improve your experience".

The New York Times

And Tinkercad, a division of Autodesk, doesn't even require a software installation for it to provide its users with simple design programs while also incorporating incremental lessons.Mixed Dimensions is also working to embed its technology onto other companies' sites, so that firms can let customers personalize products before the business prints them.

The Economist

The Akan regard the earth as a female spirit because of its fertility and its power to bring forth life, and they further personalize it as a mother because human beings depend on it for their continued nurturance and sustenance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Regardless of the device used, both programs were conceived to personalize the bond between museum and visitor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

BlackBerry's BBM Executive Vice President, Andrew Bocking, said: "BBM is a very engaging messaging service that is simple to use, easy to personalize and has an immediacy that is necessary for mobile communications".

Independent

Rare are the sports photobooks that can personalize the deeply communal (some might say tribal) act of attending live sporting events, but this is certainly one.

The New Yorker

Many people see Milosevic in this Machiavellian light, but Krivokapic seemed, unusually, not to personalize the problem of Serb aggression.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to create a product or service that caters to individual needs, use "personalize" to emphasize the tailoring aspect, making the user feel valued and understood.

Common error

Avoid using "personalize" as a mere buzzword. Ensure that actual customization options are available; otherwise, it can lead to user disappointment and distrust.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "personalize" is as a transitive verb. It describes the action of making something suitable for or characteristic of a particular person, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples of personalizing medical care, online experiences, and products.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "personalize" is a transitive verb that means to adapt something to the needs of an individual or to represent something abstract as a person. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It frequently appears in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When using "personalize", ensure genuine customization options are available to avoid user disappointment. Consider alternatives like "customize", "tailor", and "adapt" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

customize

Focuses on modifying something to fit specific requirements or preferences.

tailor

Implies adapting something precisely to meet individual needs or specifications.

individualize

Emphasizes making something unique to a specific person.

adapt

Highlights the act of adjusting something to suit particular conditions or individuals.

modify

Suggests making changes to something, often to improve or customize it.

adjust

Focuses on making small changes to achieve a desired fit or outcome.

bespoke

Implies a high degree of customization, often associated with luxury or specialized services.

format

Highlight on arranging or designing something according to a plan.

shape

Focus on giving a particular shape or form to something.

mold

Focuses on influencing the formation of something.

FAQs

How to use "personalize" in a sentence?

You can use "personalize" to describe making something specific to an individual's preferences, such as "The app allows users to "personalize" their news feed".

What can I say instead of "personalize"?

You can use alternatives like "customize", "tailor", or "adapt" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "personalize" or "personalise"?

"Personalize" is the standard spelling in American English, while "personalise" is common in British English.

What's the difference between "personalize" and "customize"?

While similar, ""personalize"" often implies a deeper level of adaptation to an individual's specific needs or preferences, whereas "customize" can refer to more general modifications.