individualized
individualized — adjective
- individualizedpositive
- more individualizedcomparative
- most individualizedsuperlative
1. created, organized, or chosen to fit the specific needs, abilities, or preferenc
created, organized, or chosen to fit the specific needs, abilities, or preferences of one particular person, rather than being the same for everyone in a group.
The school created an individualized learning plan for each child who struggles with reading.
collocation: individualized learning plan
Kim received individualized coaching sessions to prepare for the marathon.
The nursing home offers individualized care plans that change as residents' health conditions shift.
Fatima's doctor recommended an individualized exercise program rather than a general fitness class.
- personalized
the most common alternative; used broadly in education, healthcare, and customer service
- customized
more common for products and services; implies adjustments were made to a standard version
- tailored
suggests careful, precise fitting to someone's specific needs, like a made-to-measure suit
- standardized
made to be the same for everyone, with no variation allowed
- generic
not specific to any individual; one-size-fits-all
文法句型
individualized + noun
用法筆記
This adjective appears most often before nouns such as plan, program, care, learning, approach, and treatment — all in contexts where services are adjusted to suit one person.
常見錯誤
individualized — verb
- individualizedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- individualizeds3rd person singular
- individualizeding-ing form
- individualizededpast simple
1. to give a person, object, or activity a distinct quality or style that makes it
to give a person, object, or activity a distinct quality or style that makes it noticeably different from others of the same kind.
The artist individualizes each clay vase by carving a one-of-a-kind pattern into the surface.
Hiroshi individualizes his recipes with a unique spice that no other family cook uses.
Each room in the guesthouse is individualized by a different wall color and local artworks.
Good teachers individualize their teaching style instead of giving the same lesson to everyone.
- distinguish
broader; can mean 'recognise differences' or 'make different'; does not always imply active design
- differentiate
more formal; focuses on the result of being set apart
- characterize
means 'to be a typical quality of'; weaker sense of deliberate action
文法句型
individualize + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used in the passive or as a past participle adjective (an individualized vase). It emphasises uniqueness of character rather than practical customisation.
常見錯誤
2. to adjust a method, service, product, or treatment so that it matches the partic
to adjust a method, service, product, or treatment so that it matches the particular requirements, preferences, or conditions of one specific person.
The software allows doctors to individualize treatment plans based on each patient's genetic profile.
pattern: individualize [plan] based on [factor]
A good university individualizes financial aid packages depending on each student's family income.
Diego's coach individualizes his workout routine every month as his strength gradually improves.
The hospital individualizes discharge instructions for each patient instead of giving everyone the same sheet.
- standardize
to make everything the same across all cases
- generalize
to make something broadly applicable rather than person-specific
文法句型
individualize + noun phrase
be individualized to + noun phrase
be individualized for + person
用法筆記
This is the most practical sense of the verb. It is very common in the passive: a plan / service / treatment is individualized for someone. The purpose is always to improve fit or effectiveness for that one person.
常見錯誤
3. to give separate, focused attention to one person or one case within a larger gr
to give separate, focused attention to one person or one case within a larger group, rather than treating everyone or everything identically.
The counselor individualizes each student's case instead of applying the same rule to everyone.
A good manager individualizes feedback by mentioning each team member's specific contribution during the project.
pattern: individualize [noun] by mentioning [details]
The judge individualized each offender's sentence after reviewing their personal background reports.
Workers complained the policy did not individualize its approach based on seniority.
- particularize
formal synonym; emphasizes giving specific, separate attention
- single out
more natural in everyday English; can imply picking one person for special treatment, positive or negative
- distinguish
to recognise as different; does not always involve taking separate action
- lump together
to treat different people or things as one group without distinction; informal
- generalize
to make broad statements that apply to everyone, ignoring individual differences
文法句型
individualize + noun phrase (person or case)
用法筆記
This sense focuses on the act of treating people or cases one by one rather than as a mass. It is close in meaning to 'single out' but does not necessarily carry the negative connotation of unfairness that 'single out' sometimes has.