Meaning & use
standardized
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“standardized” is a form of “standardize”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Made to follow the same rules or measurements everywhere, so that things are consistent.
Grammar: Usually comes before a noun: standardized tests, standardized procedures. No comparative form.
Patterns
- standardized test
- standardized procedure
- standardized measurement
All students take a standardized test at the end of the year.
The hospital uses standardized procedures for cleaning equipment.
Standardized measurements make it easier to compare results from different labs.
verbtransitive
Past tense and past participle of 'standardize': made something conform to a standard.
Grammar: Used as a verb in the passive or perfect: the parts were standardized; they have standardized the process.
Patterns
- be standardized
- standardize something
The company standardized its software across all offices.
Once the parts were standardized, repairs became much faster.
They have standardized the way they record customer complaints.
Word forms
| base form | standardize |
|---|---|
| third person singular | standardizes |
| past tense | standardized |
| past participle | standardized |
| -ing form | standardizing |
Common combinations
- standardized test
- Many universities require a standardized test score for admission.
- standardized procedure
- The lab follows a standardized procedure for every experiment.
- standardized measurement
- Standardized measurements allow scientists to share data reliably.
- highly standardized
- The production process is highly standardized to ensure quality.
Synonyms and how they differ
- uniform
- Emphasizes sameness in appearance or form; standardized emphasizes following an agreed standard or rule.
- normalized
- Often used for bringing something into line with a norm or average; standardized is more about a fixed set of rules.
- regulated
- Focuses on control by rules or laws; standardized focuses on making things consistent.
Opposites
Word family
- standardize verb
- To make things conform to a standard.
- standardization noun
- The process of making things standard.
- standard noun
- A level of quality or a rule used for comparison.
Commonly confused: standardized or standard?
standardized vs standard
Standard is the base word; standardized means made to follow a standard. A 'standard test' is a normal test, while a 'standardized test' is one that is the same for everyone.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'standardized' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Standardized' means made to follow the same standard, so tests being standardized makes sense. The other options misuse the word: you don't standardize people, cars, or paintings in this sense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “standardized”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.