- (transitive) to make modern in appearance or style: to modernize a room
- (intransitive) to adopt modern ways, ideas, etc
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
mod•ern•ize /ˈmɑdɚˌnaɪz/USA pronunciation
v., -ized, -iz•ing.
mod•ern•iz•er, n. [countable]See -mod-.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to (cause to) become modern: [~ + object]Our competitors modernized their equipment.[no object]If we hope to compete today we have to modernize.
mod•ern•iz•er, n. [countable]See -mod-.
mod•ern•ize
(mod′ər nīz′),USA pronunciation v., -ized, -iz•ing.
v.t.
v.i.
mod′ern•i•za′tion, n.
mod′ern•iz′er, n.
v.t.
- to make modern;
give a new or modern character or appearance to:to modernize one's ideas; to modernize a kitchen.
v.i.
- to become modern;
adopt modern ways, views, etc.
- modern(ism) + -ize 1740–50
mod′ern•iz′er, n.
- 1. . renovate, refurbish, update.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
modernize, modernise /ˈmɒdəˌnaɪz/ vb
'modernize' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):