personalise
gb/pɚsənəlɪs/ us/pɚsənəlɪs/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
customize for one person
To change something so it is right for one person.
Usage pattern:
personalise [something] (for [someone])
Common mistake:
Often spelled personalize in American English.
Synonyms
customise (Closest synonym; especially common in UK English.)
|
tailor (Emphasises adapting to a specific person or purpose.)
|
adapt (More general; may imply small changes rather than full customisation.)
Antonyms
standardise (Make the same for everyone.)
|
genericise (Make less specific or individual.)
Collocations
personalise your experience
|personalise your settings
|personalise an app
|personalise a website
|personalise content
|personalise recommendations
|personalise an email
|personalise a learning plan
|personalise a service
|personalise a user profile
Themes
technology
|business
|shopping
|education
Examples
- The app lets you personalise your homepage and notifications.
- We personalise the training programme to match each employee’s role.
- The company uses purchase history to personalise product recommendations.
Learner examples
- I personalised my phone settings.
- This website personalises the news for me.
Verb
B2
action
2
add a name or message
To write or put someone’s name/message on something.
Usage pattern:
personalise [something] (with [name/initials/message])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse personalise (verb) with personal (adjective).
Synonyms
customise (Broader; not limited to names or messages.)
|
monogram (Specifically add initials, often decoratively.)
|
engrave (Specifically cut text into metal/wood/glass.)
Antonyms
leave blank (Do not add any identifying text or message.)
|
remove (Take away personal markings.)
Collocations
personalise a gift
|personalise a card
|personalise a mug
|personalise a necklace
|personalise a keyring
|personalise a bag
|personalise a book
|personalise a message
|personalise with initials
|personalise with a name
Themes
shopping
|gifts
|daily_life
Examples
- You can personalise the bracelet with her initials.
- They personalised the wedding invitations with each guest’s name.
- He ordered a notebook personalised with a short quote on the cover.
Learner examples
- I personalised the card with my name.
- We personalised the gift with a message.
Verb
C1
action
3
make something about a person
To make something feel like a personal attack.
Usage pattern:
personalise [issue/criticism/debate]
Common mistake:
Not the same as take personally (react emotionally); personalise means to turn the issue into something about a person.
Synonyms
make it personal (Common phrasing; often implies hostility.)
|
target (Emphasises directing criticism at a person.)
|
individualise (More formal; less common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
depersonalise (Remove personal focus; treat as general or objective.)
|
generalise (Keep the focus broad, not on one person.)
Collocations
personalise the debate
|personalise the issue
|personalise criticism
|personalise an argument
|personalise the conflict
|personalise a disagreement
Themes
communication
|work
|emotions
Examples
- Let’s not personalise this—our problem is with the process, not with you.
- She felt he was personalising the criticism instead of addressing the facts.
- The campaign tried not to personalise the debate around one politician.
Learner examples
- Please don’t personalise it.
- We should not personalise the problem.
Grammar
Dictionary form
personalise
IPA
GB/pɚsənəlɪs/
US/pɚsənəlɪs/
Syllables & stress
per - son - al - ise (4 syllables)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: personalise
- 3rd Person Singular: personalises
- Present Participle: personalising
- Past: personalised
Word family
Forms
personalises
verb
personalising
verb
personalised
verb
Core family
Related words
personality
noun A2
Negative and opposite forms
impersonal
adjective B2
impersonally
adverb C1
Advanced or less common
depersonalise
verb
depersonalisation
noun
Expressions
personalise it with [name/message]
1/pɚsənəlɪs ˈɪt wˈɪθ nˈeɪmməsɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
add a name or message
Add a name or message to it.
Examples
- You can personalise it with your child’s name.
- Personalise it with a short message before you check out.
personalise your account
1/pɚsənəlɪs jˈʊɹ əkˈaʊnt/
fixed phrase
customize an account profile
Change your account settings to what you like.
Examples
- After you sign up, you can personalise your account with a profile photo.
- Go to Settings to personalise your account and notifications.
personalise your experience
1/pɚsənəlɪs jˈʊɹ ɪkspˈɪɹiəns/
fixed phrase
customize how something works
Change the app or website so it suits you.
Examples
- You can personalise your experience by choosing your interests.
- The site invites new users to personalise their experience during setup.