Meaning & use
uberization
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Meanings
noununcountablebusiness
The process by which a traditional industry is changed by app-based companies that connect customers directly with service providers.
Grammar: Uncountable: talk about the uberization of an industry, not an uberization or uberizations.
Patterns
- the uberization of something
- uberization in an industry
The uberization of taxis has forced traditional cab companies to change.
Many economists study the uberization of personal services.
Uberization is spreading to food delivery and home cleaning.
noununcountablebusiness
The trend of using mobile platforms to offer on-demand services, often with flexible or gig work.
Grammar: Uncountable; often used with 'of' to name the affected sector.
Patterns
- the uberization of work
- the uberization of the economy
The uberization of work has created more freelance jobs but less security.
Critics say the uberization of the economy leaves workers without benefits.
Uberization has changed how people book rides and hotels.
Common combinations
- the uberization of (an industry)
- The uberization of the hotel industry worries some traditional owners.
- uberization of work
- The uberization of work means more people take short-term jobs.
- drive uberization
- Smartphones and apps have driven uberization in many sectors.
- resist uberization
- Some taxi unions resist uberization and demand new rules.
Synonyms and how they differ
- platformization
- A broader term for the rise of digital platforms; it does not always suggest the same direct, on-demand service model.
- disruption
- A general business term for new models upsetting old ones; it is wider and less specific than uberization.
Word family
Commonly confused: uberization or urbanization?
uberization vs urbanization
Urbanization means the growth of cities and city life; uberization is about app-based business models, not city growth.
Practice
What does 'uberization' refer to?
Choose one answer.
'Uberization' is about app-based platforms changing traditional services. 'The growth of cities' describes urbanization, which sounds similar but means something different.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “uberization”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.