individualize

verb

in·​di·​vid·​u·​al·​ize ˌin-də-ˈvi-jə-wə-ˌlīz How to pronounce individualize (audio)
-ˈvij-wə-,
-ˈvi-jə-ˌlīz
individualized; individualizing

transitive verb

1
: to make individual in character
2
: to adapt to the needs or special circumstances of an individual
individualize teaching according to student ability
3
: to treat or notice individually : particularize
individualization
ˌin-də-ˌvi-jə-wə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce individualize (audio)
-ˌvij-wə-
-ˌvi-jə-lə-
noun

Examples of individualize in a Sentence

The author uses different styles to individualize the characters. Teachers should individualize their lessons to address differences in their students.
Recent Examples on the Web Though the doc is less personal than his solo directorial debut, Strong Island, Ford nevertheless individualizes Power with his selective interludes of narration. Jourdain Searles, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2024 That shows that the teacher really knows her students, and goes the extra mile in individualizing her approach to engaging with them. Zara Hanawalt, Parents, 1 Dec. 2023 Giving the player a wealth of choices to pick from and individualizing the player’s experiences can make a game infinitely replayable. WIRED, 20 Sep. 2023 The production would be stronger if more effort were made to further individualize the subordinate characters. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2023 Spring packed away puppets and pillows, board games and puzzles, and spent her own money on plastic bins to individualize her students’ toys: blocks, Legos, paints, all the classroom objects designed to teach kindergartners how to be part of a group. Jenny Anderson, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2020 Many left critics of the burnout paradigm have faulted the concept for individualizing and naturalizing the large-scale social antagonisms of neoliberal times. Seyward Darby, Longreads, 15 Feb. 2023 In that vein, each of the four new cabins offer tons of features that add comfort and allow passengers to individualize their flight experiences. Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2023 A lot of districts right now are trying to individualize learning in that way. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'individualize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of individualize was in 1637

Dictionary Entries Near individualize

Cite this Entry

“Individualize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/individualize. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

individualize

verb
in·​di·​vid·​u·​al·​ize ˌin-də-ˈvij-(ə-)wə-līz How to pronounce individualize (audio)
-ˈvij-ə-ˌliz
individualized; individualizing
1
: to make individual in character
2
: to treat or notice individually
3
: to change to fit the needs of an individual
individualization
-ˌvij-(ə-)wə-lə-ˈzā-shən
-ˌvij-ə-lə-
noun

Medical Definition

individualize

transitive verb
in·​di·​vid·​u·​al·​ize ˌin-də-ˈvij-(ə-)wə-ˌlīz, -ˈvij-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce individualize (audio)
variants or British individualise
individualized or British individualised; individualizing or British individualising
: to adapt to the needs or special circumstances of an individual
individualize dosage for the most beneficial effect
individualization noun

More from Merriam-Webster on individualize

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