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Synonyms

locale

American  
[loh-kal, -kahl] / loʊˈkæl, -ˈkɑl /

noun

  1. a place or locality, especially with reference to events or circumstances connected with it.

    to move to a warmer locale.

    Synonyms:
    spot, site, location
  2. the scene or setting, as of a novel, play, or motion picture.

    The locale is a small Kansas town just before World War I.


locale British  
/ ləʊˈkɑːl /

noun

  1. a place or area, esp with reference to events connected with it

"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

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.

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Vocabulary lists containing locale

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.

The Foo Fighters chose the locale for their series of surprise pop-up shows debuting new material in 2011, right before the venue was renamed.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 26, 2025

Plan offerings differ by county, and then plan specifics within each locale will range so widely that what’s best for you will be different from what’s best for your neighbor.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 29, 2025

And no locale has benefited more than Milan, where money has followed money.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 4, 2025

Should they play it safe and relocate to a cheaper filming locale, such as New Mexico or Vancouver, to ensure they had the budget to film the pivotal mid-season finale in Las Vegas?

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 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