individualize

verb in·di·vid·u·al·ize \ ˌin-də-ˈvij-wə-ˌlīz , -ˈvi-jə-wə- , -ˈvi-jə-ˌlīz \

Updated on: 22 May 2018

Definition of individualize

individualized; individualizing

transitive verb

1 : to make individual in character

2 : to treat or notice individually : particularize

3 : to adapt to the needs or special circumstances of an individual

individualize teaching according to student ability

—

individualization

play \ˌin-də-ˌvij-wə-lə-ˈzā-shən, -ˌvi-jə-wə-, -ˌvi-jə-lə-\ noun

See individualize defined for English-language learners

See individualize defined for kids

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 of individualize from the Web

Oncologists regularly individualize treatments to target a tumor’s unique genetic weaknesses.

— matthew tontonoz, Scientific American, "Up Close and Personal," 15 May 2018
Learning enough to individualize care requires studying a massive number of participants: The healthy and not-so-healthy, young and old, rural and urban, blue-collar and white-collar — and people of all races and ethnicities.

— Washington Post, "US wants 1 million to share DNA, health habits for science," 1 May 2018
Learning enough to individualize care requires studying a massive number of participants: The healthy and not-so-healthy, young and old, rural and urban, blue-collar and white-collar — and people of all races and ethnicities.

— NBC News, "Federal government wants 1 million people for giant health study," 1 May 2018
Learning enough to individualize care requires studying a massive number of participants: The healthy and not-so-healthy, young and old, rural and urban, blue-collar and white-collar – and people of all races and ethnicities.

— lauran neergaard, USA TODAY, "National Institutes of Health wants 1 million to share their DNA and their health habits for science," 1 May 2018
The film tries to make Mary Jo an equal participant in the story — more than just a victim or a mystery woman — and succeeds in individualizing her enough to underscore the horror of her death.

— a. o. scott, New York Times, "Review: ‘Chappaquiddick’ Revisits a Grim ’60s Kennedy Scandal," 4 Apr. 2018
Wiretapping and electronic eavesdropping was highly individualized up until the 1980s.

— april white, Smithsonian, "A Brief History of Surveillance in America," 22 Mar. 2018
For an on-point example, look to Margot Robbie, who individualized a new romantic moment with characteristic aplomb.

— calin van paris, Vogue, "Margot Robbie Rules the Red Carpet With This Romantic Hair Trend," 12 Jan. 2018
For me — and that critic’s caveat is more intense than usual, since all experiences are individualized here — the first half of the night did not work.

— chris jones, chicagotribune.com, "Following is not so easy in Hubbard Street Dance's 'Space' at the Harris," 22 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'individualize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of individualize

1637

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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INDIVIDUALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

individualize

verb

Definition of individualize for English Language Learners

: to make (something) different from other things
: to change (something) so that it fits each person's needs

Medical Dictionary

individualize

transitive verb in·di·vid·u·al·ize \ ˌin-də-ˈvij-(ə-)wə-ˌlīz, -ˈvij-ə-ˌlīz \

variants: or British individualise

medical Definition of individualize

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

or British individualisation play \-ˌvij-(ə-)wə-lə-ˈzā-shən, -ˌvij-ə-lə-\ noun

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See words that rhyme with individualize Spanish Central: Translation of individualize Nglish: Translation of individualize for Spanish speakers

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individualize

Definition of individualize

individualization

Examples of individualize in a Sentence

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First Known Use of individualize

INDIVIDUALIZE Defined for English Language Learners

individualize

Definition of individualize for English Language Learners

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individualize

medical Definition of individualize

individualization

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