local

[ loh-kuhl ]

/ ˈloʊ kəl /

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See synonyms for: local / locals on Thesaurus.com

adjective

pertaining to or characterized by place or position in space; spatial.

pertaining to, characteristic of, or restricted to a particular place or particular places: a local custom.

pertaining to a city, town, or small district rather than an entire state or country: local transportation.

stopping at most or all stations: a local train.

pertaining to or affecting a particular part or particular parts, as of a physical system or organism: a local disease.

Medicine/Medical. (of anesthesia or an anesthetic) affecting only a particular part or area of the body, without concomitant loss of consciousness, as distinguished from general anesthesia.

noun

a local train, bus, etc.

a newspaper item of local interest.

a local branch of a union, fraternity, etc.

a local anesthetic.

Often locals.

a local person or resident: primarily of interest to locals.
a local athletic team: the locals versus the state champions.

stamp (def. 22).

British Informal. a neighborhood pub.

verb (used without object)

Informal. to travel by or take a local train or the like.

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Question 1 of 7

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of local

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Late Latin word locālis.See locus, -al¹

OTHER WORDS FROM local

lo·cal·ness, nounin·ter·lo·cal, adjectivein·ter·lo·cal·ly, adverbnon·lo·cal, adjective, noun

non·lo·cal·ly, adverbsu·per·lo·cal, adjectivesu·per·lo·cal·ly, adverbun·lo·cal, adjectiveun·lo·cal·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH local

local , locale, locality, location

Words nearby local

lobule, lobulus, lobus, lobworm, loc., local, local anaesthetic, local anesthetic, local area network, local authority, local color

Other definitions for local (2 of 2)

lo-cal

[ loh-kal, -kal ]

/ ˈloʊˈkæl, -ˌkæl /

adjective

an informal, simplified spelling of low-cal.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use local in a sentence

It’s the kind of solution that companies might need as local, state and national governments tighten emissions regulations.
ClearFlame Engine Technologies takes aim at cleaning up diesel engines|Kirsten Korosec|September 17, 2020|TechCrunch
Chan explains that even though you’re seeing more challenges to building a truly global company these days, there’s more space for local startups to win big.
With Goat Capital, Justin Kan and Robin Chan want to keep founding alongside the right teams|Eric Eldon|September 17, 2020|TechCrunch
In other markets, Spotify and Apple Music have relied on their deep pockets to compete against local challengers.
The Biggest Challenge for Apple and Spotify in North Africa: YouTube|Eromo Egbejule|September 17, 2020|Ozy
The Problem Solvers Caucus proposal would provide another $1,200 stimulus check, $450 in weekly enhanced unemployment benefits, and $500 billion for state and local government funding.
Trump warms to ‘Problem Solvers’ stimulus bill—including $1,200 checks and $450 weekly unemployment benefits|Lance Lambert|September 17, 2020|Fortune

If you have a question or need a replacement ballot, call your local election office.
ProPublica’s Pandemic Guide to Making Sure Your Vote Counts|by Susie Armitage|September 16, 2020|ProPublica
The young men were at one point, according to eyewitnesses, apprehended by local police officers.
Why Mexicans Are Enraged by Obama’s Big Tuesday Meeting|Ruben Navarrette Jr.|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Lennon casually told some DC friends about it and found there was local interest in establishing Dinner Parties.
Everyone at This Dinner Party Has Lost Someone|Samantha Levine|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The U.S. campaign against ISIS leans on two pillars: conducting airstrikes, and beefing up local forces.
Pentagon Insider on New Plan to Fight ISIS: ‘Of Course It’s Not Enough’|Nancy A. Youssef|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Although he brings a Western spin to things, he seems equally inspired by the local sense of style.
The Photographer Who Gave Up Manhattan for Marrakech|Liza Foreman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Speaking to a local radio station today Antonella Ramelli said the video gives her hope.
Jihadis Release New Year’s Eve Video of Italian Female Hostages|Jamie Dettmer, Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A flightless, juvenal female was obtained by local boys at Pisté on July 21.
Summer Birds From the Yucatan Peninsula|Erwin E. Klaas
On his arrival at the local railway station he was met by his lordship in person.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
His sister, who became Countess in her own right, was married to a local manufacturer, William Humphrys.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
This of course must be laid to the credit of the local supporters of "the noble art of self-defence," the Brummagem bruisers.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
No more admirable illustration can be found of the truth that the essence of defence lies in a vigorous local offence.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison

British Dictionary definitions for local

local

/ (ˈləʊkəl) /

adjective

characteristic of or associated with a particular locality or area

of, concerned with, or relating to a particular place or point in space

med of, affecting, or confined to a limited area or partCompare general (def. 10), systemic (def. 2)

(of a train, bus, etc) stopping at all stations or stops

noun

a train, bus, etc, that stops at all stations or stops

an inhabitant of a specified locality

British informal a pub close to one's home or place of work

med short for local anaesthetic

US and Canadian an item of local interest in a newspaper

US and Canadian a local or regional branch of an association

Canadian a telephone extension

Derived forms of local

localness, noun

Word Origin for local

C15: via Old French from Late Latin locālis, from Latin locus place, locus

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

local

Origin of local

OTHER WORDS FROM local

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH local

Words nearby local

Other definitions for local (2 of 2)

Words related to local

How to use local in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for local

Derived forms of local

Word Origin for local