modernize

[mod-er-nahyz]

verb (used with object), mod·ern·ized, mod·ern·iz·ing.

to make modern; give a new or modern character or appearance to: to modernize one's ideas; to modernize a kitchen.

verb (used without object), mod·ern·ized, mod·ern·iz·ing.

to become modern; adopt modern ways, views, etc.

Also especially British, mod·ern·ise.

Origin of modernize

First recorded in 1740–50; modern(ism) + -ize

Related formsmod·ern·i·za·tion, nounmod·ern·iz·er, nounan·ti·mod·ern·i·za·tion, adjectiveo·ver·mod·ern·i·za·tion, nouno·ver·mod·ern·ize, verb, o·ver·mod·ern·ized, o·ver·mod·ern·iz·ing.re·mod·ern·i·za·tion, nounre·mod·ern·ize, verb, re·mod·ern·ized, re·mod·ern·iz·ing.un·mod·ern·ized, adjective

Synonyms for modernize

1. renovate, refurbish, update.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for modernise

Historical Examples of modernise

Hence his attempt to modernise Chaucer and improve on Shakespeare.
Why we should read
S. P. B. Mais
Why, if they were bent on modernising, did they not modernise the shields?
Homer and His Age
Andrew Lang
Here the late poets have their innings at last, and do modernise the Homeric house.
Homer and His Age
Andrew Lang
I still say so; and he who attempts to mend it, or modernise the form, says so too.
Notes & Queries, No. 42, Saturday, August 17, 1850
Various
No attempt has been made to alter spellings, or to modernise punctuation or grammar.
Deformities of Samuel Johnson, Selected from his Works
Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for modernise

modernize

modernise

verb

(tr) to make modern in appearance or styleto modernize a room
(intr) to adopt modern ways, ideas, etc

Derived Formsmodernization or modernisation, nounmodernizer or moderniser, noun

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

Word Origin and History for modernise

modernize

1748, from modern + -ize, or from French moderniser. Related: Modernized; modernizing; modernizer.