Customize
/ˈkʌstəmaɪz/
Definitions
To modify something to suit a particular individual or task; to personalize.
/ˈkʌstəmaɪz/
To modify something to fit a specific need or preference.
I customized my phone's settings to improve battery life.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're building a LEGO set. 'Customize' means you can change it to look exactly how *you* want, not how the instructions say. Like making your phone's screen different colors or choosing toppings on your pizza!
👶 For kids: To change something so it's just right for you!
More Examples
The software allows you to customize the user interface.
They customized the wedding package to include specific flowers.
How It's Used
"Users can customize their website's appearance."
"The company customizes its products to meet client demands."
From 'custom' + '-ize'. 'Custom' derives from Old French 'custume' and Latin 'consuetūdo' (habit, custom). The '-ize' suffix indicates the action of making something conform to a specific custom.
The verb 'customize' gained popularity with the rise of computer technology and the ability to personalize software and hardware.
Memory tip
Think of a customer, you make something *custom* for them.