Meaning & use

internationally

adverb·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˌɪntəˈnæʃnəli/
US/ˌɪntɚˈnæʃnəli/

Meanings

  1. adverbnot comparable

    In a way that involves or reaches several countries, rather than just one.

    Grammar: Often placed before an adjective or participle, or at the end of a clause: internationally known, travel internationally.

    Patterns

    • be known internationally
    • travel internationally

    The singer is internationally famous.

    The company ships its goods internationally.

    Their research was recognized internationally.

  2. adverbnot comparableformal

    Between countries or according to agreements shared by many countries.

    Grammar: Often used with legal or political terms: internationally recognized.

    Patterns

    • internationally recognized something

    The border is not internationally recognized.

    Internationally agreed rules protect whales.

    The treaty was internationally accepted.

Common combinations

internationally known
The chef is internationally known for her desserts.
internationally recognized
It is an internationally recognized standard.
compete internationally
Our team will compete internationally next year.
travel internationally
He travels internationally for work.
internationally acclaimed
The internationally acclaimed film won several prizes.
operate internationally
The firm operates internationally in twelve countries.

Synonyms and how they differ

globally
Globally suggests the whole world at once, while internationally can mean just a few countries.
worldwide
Worldwide stresses reaching all parts of the world, and it can be used as an adjective too.
abroad
Abroad means in or to another country from the speaker's own, and does not describe fame or agreement.
multinationally
Multinationally is rare and used for businesses working in many nations.

Opposites

Word family

international adjective
involving more than one country
internationalism noun
the belief in cooperation between nations
internationalize verb
to make something international
nation noun
a country with its own government

Commonly confused: internationally or globally? internationally or international?

internationally vs globally

Globally covers the whole planet, whereas internationally can describe just a handful of countries.

internationally vs international

International is the adjective (an international flight), while internationally is the adverb that describes how something is done or known.

Practice

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