modernise
gb/mˈoʊdɚnɪs/ us/mˈoʊdɚnɪs/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
update to current standards
To make something more modern or up to date.
Usage pattern:
modernise [something]
Common mistake:
In American English the usual spelling is modernize; modernise is the standard British spelling.
Synonyms
update (More general; may not imply major change or modern technology.)
|
upgrade (Often focuses on improving performance, especially with equipment or software.)
|
renovate (Used especially for buildings; focuses on improving condition and appearance.)
Antonyms
preserve (To keep something as it is, especially its older or traditional features.)
|
downgrade (To make something lower in quality or capability, the opposite of improving it.)
Collocations
modernise infrastructure
|modernise a system
|modernise equipment
|modernise a factory
|modernise operations
|modernise the curriculum
|modernise the economy
|modernise public services
|modernise the armed forces
|modernise a home
Themes
technology
|business
|government
|housing
|education
Examples
- The company modernised its IT systems to support remote work.
- They modernised the kitchen while keeping the original wooden floors.
- The government plans to modernise rail services over the next five years.
Learner examples
- We modernised our website last month.
- They want to modernise the school.
Verb
C1
action
2
make less traditional
To change old ways of thinking or working to newer ones.
Usage pattern:
modernise [an organisation/policy/law/attitude]
Common mistake:
Modernise is usually about a broad change to be more contemporary; it is not only about adding technology.
Synonyms
reform (Emphasises correcting or improving a system, often through policy changes.)
|
liberalise (Often specifically means making rules less strict or allowing more freedom.)
Antonyms
conserve (To resist change and keep existing, often traditional, ideas or systems.)
|
entrench (To make an existing practice or system harder to change.)
Collocations
modernise the party
|modernise management
|modernise labour laws
|modernise regulations
|modernise the constitution
|modernise attitudes
|modernise working practices
|modernise governance
|modernise the institution
|modernise the public sector
Themes
society
|politics
|business
|culture
Examples
- The new leader promised to modernise the organisation’s culture.
- Campaigners are calling on parliament to modernise the law.
- The university is modernising its policies on flexible working.
Learner examples
- They want to modernise the rules.
- The manager is trying to modernise the company culture.
Verb
C1
process
3
become more modern
To change over time and become more modern.
Usage pattern:
[place/country/industry] modernises
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse modernise (change to become modern) with modern (already new and up to date).
Synonyms
develop (Broader and not necessarily about becoming modern or up to date.)
|
advance (Often suggests progress in capability, especially in science or industry.)
Antonyms
stagnate (To stop developing or improving.)
|
decline (To become less successful or less developed over time.)
Collocations
a country modernises
|an economy modernises
|society modernises
|industry modernises
|rapidly modernise
|gradually modernise
|modernise quickly
|modernise over time
Themes
society
|economy
|technology
Examples
- Over the past decade, the city has modernised rapidly.
- As the economy modernised, more people moved into office jobs.
- The industry is modernising, with more automation and fewer manual roles.
Learner examples
- The country is modernising fast.
Grammar
Dictionary form
modernise
IPA
GB/mˈoʊdɚnɪs/
US/mˈoʊdɚnɪs/
Syllables & stress
mod - ern - ise (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mod)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: modernise
- 3rd Person Singular: modernises
- Present Participle: modernising
- Past: modernised
Word family
Forms
modernises
verb
modernising
verb
modernised
verb
Core family
modern
adjective A2
modernisation
noun B2
Related words
modernize
verb B2
modernization
noun B2
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.