locale
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of locale
1765–75; alteration of earlier local < French: noun use of the adj. See local
Explanation
A locale is the specific place where something happens. If you dream of a trip to some tropical locale, Hawaii, Belize, and Costa Rica might all be on your wish list. When you choose a locale for a big sci-fi convention, you need to make sure there's enough room for all the participants. And when you decide on a locale for an intimate party, you might stick to a cozy spot like your own living room. Locale comes from the French local, and it was originally spelled the same way. The e was eventually added to encourage correct pronunciation, with the emphasis on the last syllable.
Vocabulary lists containing locale
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Americanized
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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.
Swift has ties to several US cities and guesswork about the locale has reached fever pitch.
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
As an artist in residence at BroadStage, he recognized Santa Monica as an ideal locale for a jazz festival.
From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026
The add-on expense, sometimes referred to as a “bed tax” or “tourist tax,” can equate to hundreds of dollars in certain instances, depending on the locale and how long a guest stays.
From MarketWatch • Oct. 31, 2025
Herbert’s gym isn’t the only locale training adults in midlife and beyond.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 27, 2025
At one locale in the American Southwest is a set of three upright slabs which were moved from their original position about 1,000 years ago.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
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.
