internationalize
gb/ˌɪntɚnˈæʃənəlˌaɪz/ us/ˌɪntɚnˈæʃənəlˌaɪz/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
business
C1
action
1
make internationally active
To make something work or be used in several countries, or to start operating internationally.
Usage pattern:
[someone] internationalizes [something]; [something] internationalizes
Common mistake:
Do not use it simply to mean “translate”; it usually means making something international in scope, operation, or audience.
Synonyms
globalize (Broader; often suggests worldwide economic or cultural integration.)
|
expand internationally (Plainer wording, especially for business growth.)
|
make international (More transparent and less formal.)
Antonyms
nationalize (Make national rather than international in scope or character; can also mean state ownership.)
|
localize (Adapt or limit something to a particular local area rather than broaden it across countries.)
Collocations
internationalize a business
|internationalize a company
|internationalize a brand
|internationalize operations
|internationalize a curriculum
|internationalize a university
|internationalize a program
|internationalize a market
Themes
business
|globalization
|education
|organizations
Examples
- The company internationalized its brand by opening offices in Europe and Asia.
- Universities are under pressure to internationalize their curricula and attract students from abroad.
- Many small firms internationalize only after they have built a strong domestic market.
Learner examples
- The company wants to internationalize next year.
- They internationalized the program by adding foreign partners.
Verb
technical
C1
action
2
prepare software for locales
To prepare software so it can easily be adapted for different languages and countries.
Usage pattern:
[someone] internationalizes [software/an app/a website/code]
Common mistake:
Internationalize is not the same as localize: internationalization prepares for many locales; localization adapts the product for one specific locale.
Synonyms
enable localization (Emphasizes preparing something so it can be localized later.)
|
globalize (Used in some software contexts, but can be less precise.)
|
make locale-ready (Informal technical wording for preparing a product for multiple locales.)
Antonyms
hard-code (Build fixed language- or region-specific assumptions into the code, reducing adaptability.)
|
localize (Contrasts with internationalize by adapting a product for one specific locale rather than preparing it for many.)
Collocations
internationalize software
|internationalize an app
|internationalize a website
|internationalize a codebase
|internationalize user-facing strings
|internationalize the interface
|internationalize date formats
|internationalize number formats
|internationalize a digital product
Themes
technology
|software
|localization
|translation
Examples
- Before translating the app, the team had to internationalize the codebase.
- The library helps developers internationalize dates, currencies, and error messages.
- We internationalized the website so users can switch languages without changing the core templates.
Learner examples
- We need to internationalize the app before we translate it.
- The team internationalized the website for future markets.
Verb
formal
C1
action
3
involve international authorities
To make other countries or international organizations become involved in an issue, conflict, place, or resource.
Usage pattern:
[someone] internationalizes [a conflict/issue/place/resource]
Common mistake:
In politics, it often means bringing in other countries or international bodies, not making something popular abroad.
Synonyms
multilateralize (More technical; stresses involvement by several states or parties.)
|
bring before the international community (More explicit phrase, often about public concern or diplomatic attention.)
|
put under international control (Emphasizes formal control rather than general involvement.)
Antonyms
keep domestic (Keep an issue within one country’s own political or legal sphere.)
|
localize (Confine a problem or dispute to a local or limited setting.)
Collocations
internationalize a conflict
|internationalize a dispute
|internationalize a crisis
|internationalize an issue
|internationalize a peace process
|internationalize a waterway
|internationalize a city
|internationalize an investigation
Themes
politics
|law
|international_relations
|conflict
Examples
- The government resisted attempts to internationalize the border dispute.
- Activists sought to internationalize the crisis by appealing to the UN.
- The proposal would internationalize the administration of the canal.
Learner examples
- The leaders did not want to internationalize the dispute.
- The group tried to internationalize the issue by contacting the United Nations.
Grammar
Dictionary form
internationalize
IPA
GB/ˌɪntɚnˈæʃənəlˌaɪz/
US/ˌɪntɚnˈæʃənəlˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
in - ter - na - tion - al - ize (6 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ter)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: internationalize
- 3rd Person Singular: internationalizes
- Present Participle: internationalizing
- Past: internationalized
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.