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

Words Nearby modernize

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

How to use modernize in a sentence

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