modernize

[ mod-er-nahyz ]

/ ˈmɒd ərˌnaɪz /

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.

Nearby words

moderne, modernism, modernist, modernistic, modernity, modernize, modersohn-becker, modest, modesto, modesty, modesty panel

Also especially British, mod·ern·ise.

Origin of modernize

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

SYNONYMS FOR modernize

1 renovate, refurbish, update.

Related forms

mod·ern·i·za·tion, nounmod·ern·iz·er, nounan·ti·mod·ern·i·za·tion, adjectiveo·ver·mod·ern·i·za·tion, noun

o·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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for modernise

We modernise the somewhat difficult spelling, but retain the quaint language of the original.
Irish Witchcraft and Demonology|St. John D. (St. John Drelincourt) Seymour
No attempt has been made to alter spellings, or to modernise punctuation or grammar.
Deformities of Samuel Johnson, Selected from his Works|Anonymous
As a result, nearly five hundred dollars was voted from the corporation funds to strengthen and modernise the "calaboose."
The Daughter of Anderson Crow|George Barr McCutcheon
We have no right to condemn beforehand an attempt to modernise the Arthurian legends.
Oxford Lectures on Poetry|Andrew Cecil Bradley

Why, if they were bent on modernising, did they not modernise the shields?
Homer and His Age|Andrew Lang

British Dictionary definitions for modernise

modernize

modernise

/ (ˈmɒdəˌnaɪz) /

verb

(tr) to make modern in appearance or styleto modernize a room

(intr) to adopt modern ways, ideas, etc

Derived Forms

modernization 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