modernize

B2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˈmɑdɚnaɪz/ UK /ˈmɒdənaɪz/ See IPA manual

Freq #48201

Meanings

1

verb
To make something old or out of date more modern by changing it or adding new things.

The company spent millions to modernize its old factories.
2

verb
To start using modern ways or technology.

The country worked hard to modernize after the war.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to make something old or... update renovate upgrade renew

2 verb · to start using modern ways... develop

Word family

Forms modernizedmodernizesmodernizing

Derived forms demodernizemodernizablemodernizationmodernizedmodernizermodernizingovermodernizeunmodernize

Etymology

From modern + -ize or French moderniser.

moderniser French

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# modernize

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈmɑdɚnaɪz/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈmɒdənaɪz/
**Frequency rank:** 48201

## Meanings
1. To make something old or out of date more modern by changing it or adding new things.
2. To start using modern ways or technology.

## Examples
- The company spent millions to modernize its old factories.
- The country worked hard to modernize after the war.

## Derived Forms
- demodernize
- modernizable
- modernization
- modernized
- modernizer
- modernizing
- overmodernize
- unmodernize

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: moderniser
- Affix: -ize - to make

## Etymology
From modern + -ize or French moderniser.

## AI Etymology
Modernize comes from modern + -ize or French moderniser. In present-day English its meanings include to make something old or out of date more modern by changing it or adding new things and to start using modern ways or technology. Related and derived forms include demodernize, modernizable, and modernization.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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