customisation

IPA/ˌkʌs.tə.maɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/
IPA/ˌkʌs.tə.məˈzeɪ.ʃən/

customisation — noun

1. the process of changing or creating something so that it meets the specific requ

1.nounB2
Definition

the process of changing or creating something so that it meets the specific requirements or preferences of an individual user or customer

Example

The app allows users to choose their own colours and fonts through customisation.

allows + noun phrase for offering choice

Anjali ordered a customisation package for her car that added leather seats and upgraded speakers.

Common collocations
  • customisation options
  • customisation tools
  • customisation package
  • offer customisation
  • allow customisation
  • level of customisation
  • degree of customisation
Synonyms
  • personalisation

    more focused on making something feel personally suited to one individual, often emotionally or aesthetically

  • tailoring

    suggests precise adjustment to fit exact requirements, like tailoring a suit

  • adaptation

    broader term, can include functional changes for a different environment or use

  • modification

    often implies changing an existing item rather than designing from scratch

Antonyms
  • standardisation

    making everything identical rather than individually suited

  • mass production

    producing identical items in large quantities without individual variation

Usage Note

In American English the spelling is usually 'customization' (with 'z' instead of 's'). Both forms are common in business, technology, and retail contexts.

Common Mistakes

I want to do a customisation on my phone.
I want to do some customisation on my phone.
'customisation' is usually uncountable, so use 'some' or 'a lot of' rather than 'a'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe making changes to fit a situation or person, but they differ in scope and context. 'Personalisation' emphasises making something feel unique to a single person — e.g., adding a name or favourite colour. 'Tailoring' comes from the clothing industry and suggests precise, measured adjustment to meet exact requirements; a 'tailored solution' is one that fits perfectly. 'Adaptation' is broader: it can mean adjusting a tool, a text, or even a living thing for a new purpose or environment. 'Modification' often implies changing an existing object, especially to improve or fix it, rather than designing from scratch. For example: the personalisation of a phone case with a photo (emotional fit), tailoring a training programme for a specific team (exact fit), adapting a recipe for gluten-free diets (functional change), and modifying a car engine for better performance (technical change).

personalisation ↗tailoring ↗adaptation ↗modification ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • level of customisation
  • degree of customisation
  • customisation of products

Prepositions

  • customisation of

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

'Customisation' comes from 'customise', which was formed in the early 20th century from 'custom' (meaning a habitual practice or tradition) plus the verb suffix '-ise'. The noun suffix '-ation' was then added to name the process. 'Custom' itself goes back to Latin 'consuetudo' (habit, usage) via Old French 'costume'. The modern sense of adapting a product to a buyer's wishes grew with consumer culture in the mid-1900s.