personalize

American  

[pur-suh-nl-ahyz] / ˈpɜr sə nlˌaɪz /

especially British, personalise

verb (used with object)

personalized, personalizing

1. to have marked with one's initials, name, or monogram.

   to personalize stationery.

2. to make personal, as by applying a general statement to oneself.

3. to ascribe personal qualities to; personify.

4. to design or tailor to meet an individual's specifications, needs, or preferences.

   a personalized search engine;

   personalized learning.

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personalize British  

/ ˈpɜːsənəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to endow with personal or individual qualities or characteristics

2. to mark (stationery, clothing, etc) with a person's initials, name, etc

3. to take (a remark, etc) personally

4. another word for personify

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Other Word Forms

• personalization noun
• unpersonalized adjective
• unpersonalizing adjective

Etymology

Origin of personalize

First recorded in 1720–30; personal + -ize

Explanation

To personalize is to design something (or change it) so it's distinctly suited for one specific individual. You can personalize your locker by taping up family photos, or personalize your water bottle by writing your name on it in permanent marker. The verb personalize is often used to mean "make to meet your specific requirements," so a hotel might personalize your visit by leaving a note with chocolates on your pillow, or a barista might personalize your latte with a design on top that's specially made for you. You can also personalize things by putting a person's name or initials on them: "I bought letter patches so we can personalize our backpacks."

Example Sentences

The burger chain said Wednesday the new program will be integrated across its app, website, and in-store systems, allowing it to personalize offers and communicate directly with customers based on their behavior.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

However, scientists have not fully understood how it works inside the human brain, which has made it difficult to refine and personalize this treatment.

From Science Daily • Mar. 8, 2026

One of the ways I’d like to go with your question is the extent to which we personalize nations, and we think that what’s done to the “bad” nation is somehow legitimate.

From Salon • Feb. 25, 2026

Apps often employ algorithms that personalize what users see based on their viewing activity, a feature critics say traps young people in damaging online environments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

Some people personalize events excessively, resisting an external perspective, and since numbers and an impersonal view of the world are intimately related, this resistance contributes to an almost willful innumeracy.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Related Words

• illustrate