modernize

[ mod-er-nahyz ]
See synonyms for: modernizemodernizedmodernization on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),mod·ern·ized, mod·ern·iz·ing.
  1. to make modern; give a new or modern character or appearance to: to modernize one's ideas;to modernize a kitchen.

verb (used without object),mod·ern·ized, mod·ern·iz·ing.
  1. to become modern; adopt modern ways, views, etc.

Origin of modernize

1
First recorded in 1740–50; modern(ism) + -ize
  • Also especially British, mod·ern·ise .

Other words for modernize

Other words from modernize

  • mod·ern·i·za·tion [mod-er-nahy-zey-shuhn], /ˌmɒd ər naɪˈzeɪ ʃən/, noun
  • mod·ern·iz·er, noun
  • o·ver·mod·ern·ize, verb, o·ver·mod·ern·ized, o·ver·mod·ern·iz·ing.
  • re·mod·ern·ize, verb, re·mod·ern·ized, re·mod·ern·iz·ing.
  • un·mod·ern·ized, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use modernize in a sentence

  • Again, the later remanieurs of the earliest Chansons de Geste modernise the details of these poems.

    Homer and His Age | Andrew Lang
  • We modernise the somewhat difficult spelling, but retain the quaint language of the original.

    Irish Witchcraft and Demonology | St. John D. (St. John Drelincourt) Seymour
  • As a result, nearly five hundred dollars was voted from the corporation funds to strengthen and modernise the "calaboose."

    The Daughter of Anderson Crow | George Barr McCutcheon
  • Even so, it's better than treating the world like a company trading for profit, but we must modernise the rules.

    Sonia Married | Stephen McKenna
  • We might modernise a little, so as to show the real sense, by saying 'Glevum city and Corinium city and Bath city.'

    Science in Arcady | Grant Allen

British Dictionary definitions for modernize

modernize

modernise

/ (ˈmɒdəˌnaɪz) /


verb
  1. (tr) to make modern in appearance or style: to modernize a room

  2. (intr) to adopt modern ways, ideas, etc

Derived forms of modernize

  • modernization or modernisation, noun
  • modernizer or moderniser, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012