Meaning & use
localizing
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“localizing” is a form of “localize”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitivemedicalformal
Restricting something, such as a problem, disease, or effect, to one small area so it does not spread.
Grammar: Takes an object when you name what is restricted: localize the infection. Used without an object when the thing itself stays in one place: the pain localized in his knee.
Patterns
- localize something to something
- localize in something
Doctors hope to localize the infection before it reaches the bloodstream.
The rash localized on her forearm and faded after a week.
Firefighters worked quickly to localize the blaze to one warehouse.
verbtransitivebusinesscomputing
Adapting a product, text, or website so it fits the language and customs of a particular place.
Grammar: Takes an object: localize the app. Often followed by for or to: localize it for the Japanese market.
Patterns
- localize something for a market
- localize something into a language
The team is localizing the game for players in Brazil.
Localizing a website means more than just translating the words.
They spent months localizing the software so prices appear in local currency.
verbtransitivetechnical
Finding or identifying the exact position of something.
Grammar: Takes an object: localize the source of the sound.
Patterns
- localize the source of something
- localize a signal
Engineers used sensors to localize the leak in the pipe.
The device can localize a sound within a few degrees.
Word forms
| third person singular | localizes |
|---|---|
| past tense | localized |
| past participle | localized |
| -ing form | localizing |
Common combinations
- localize the problem
- We need to localize the problem before we can fix it.
- localize the infection
- Antibiotics helped localize the infection.
- localizing strategy
- Their localizing strategy focuses on three key markets.
- localize content
- The company hires translators to localize content.
Synonyms and how they differ
- contain
- Contain means stopping something from spreading, often by force or effort, while localize stresses keeping it within a limited area; contain is more common in news about fires or diseases.
- adapt
- Adapt means changing something to suit new conditions in general; localize is narrower and specifically about making something fit a particular place or market.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: localizing or localizing vs. locating?
localizing vs localizing vs. locating
Localizing means keeping something in one area or adapting it for a place; locating simply means finding where something is. A doctor localizes an infection; a technician locates a fault.
Practice
The company is localizing its app ___ the Indian market.
Choose one answer.
Localize something for a market is the usual pattern, meaning you adapt it to suit that market. The other prepositions do not fit this meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “localizing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.