personalize
Americanverb (used with object)
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to have marked with one's initials, name, or monogram.
to personalize stationery.
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to make personal, as by applying a general statement to oneself.
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to ascribe personal qualities to; personify.
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to design or tailor to meet an individual's specifications, needs, or preferences.
a personalized search engine;
personalized learning.
verb
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to endow with personal or individual qualities or characteristics
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to mark (stationery, clothing, etc) with a person's initials, name, etc
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to take (a remark, etc) personally
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another word for personify
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have personalizedperfect
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has personalizedperfect 3rd person singular
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is personalizingprogressive 3rd person singular
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am personalizingprogressive 1st person singular
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have been personalizingperfect progressive
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personalizessingular 3rd person
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personalizingparticiple
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are personalizingprogressive
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has been personalizingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
Past
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had personalizedperfect
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were personalizingprogressive plural
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was personalizingprogressive singular
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had been personalizingperfect progressive
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personalizedparticiple
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personalizedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of personalize
Explanation
To personalize is to design something (or change it) so it's distinctly suited for one specific individual. You can personalize your locker by taping up family photos, or personalize your water bottle by writing your name on it in permanent marker. The verb personalize is often used to mean "make to meet your specific requirements," so a hotel might personalize your visit by leaving a note with chocolates on your pillow, or a barista might personalize your latte with a design on top that's specially made for you. You can also personalize things by putting a person's name or initials on them: "I bought letter patches so we can personalize our backpacks."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"We and others have developed technology that could be used to both personalize and deliver this intervention in a clinical setting using mobile sensors, like smartphone video and a 'smart shoe'," Uhlrich said.
From Science Daily • May 22, 2026
“By stripping out the ability to personalize or target them, you’re not really saving discounts at all,” Drew Ambrogi, a policy manager at Chamber of Progress, said in an interview with Salon.
From Salon • May 18, 2026
Harley calls it “the ultimate blank canvas for self-expression,” meaning riders will be encouraged to personalize it with parts and accessories, a major profit center for dealers.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026
Target-date retirement funds are a reasonable default, Bogardus said, but they “can also cause investors to miss opportunities to personalize their strategy around their specific income needs as retirement approaches.”
From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026
Because we so profoundly personalize success, we miss opportunities to lift others onto the top rung.
From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
