local
/ˈləʊkl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈləʊkl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlō-kəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈləʊ.kəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈloʊ.kəl/ (ame, ipa)
local — adjective
- localpositive
- more localcomparative
- most localsuperlative
1. Relating to the particular town, district, or neighbourhood where you live or wh
Relating to the particular town, district, or neighbourhood where you live or which is the focus of discussion — rather than the whole country.
Sumin bought fresh bread from the local bakery every Saturday morning.
collocation: local bakery / local shop / local market
The local council decided to build a new park near the river.
The local bus service in Christopher's town runs every twenty minutes.
Selim prefers to read the local newspaper instead of the national one.
When Yuna felt dizzy, Élise drove her to the local hospital.
- neighbourhood
only for small residential areas, less formal
- regional
broader in scope, often covering a larger area than 'local'
- nearby
focuses on physical proximity rather than belonging to an area
文法句型
local + noun
用法筆記
Commonly used before a noun. Do not confuse with 'native', which relates to birthplace — 'local' refers to a place of current residence or operation.
常見錯誤
2. Occurring in or influencing just one specific bodily location, without spreading
Occurring in or influencing just one specific bodily location, without spreading to the rest of the body.
The doctor applied a local cream to ease the pain in Diya's knee.
collocation: local cream / local anaesthetic / local injection
Gabriel chose local anaesthesia for his dental surgery rather than general.
The massage therapist focused on local muscle tightness in Vikram's shoulders.
After the injection, Zuri felt a local numbness that lasted about two hours.
- general
affecting the whole body
文法句型
local + noun (medical)
用法筆記
Primarily a medical or technical term. Typically used before a noun describing a treatment, sensation, or condition. The noun 'local' is sometimes used as a short form of 'local anaesthetic'.
local — noun
- localsingular
- localsplural
1. An individual who resides in a particular area and is familiar with it, especial
An individual who resides in a particular area and is familiar with it, especially someone who has been living there for an extended period.
The locals welcomed the tourists with a street festival in the main square.
the locals (plural) for people living in an area
Christopher asked a local where the nearest bus station was.
Lien's uncle is a local who has lived in the village for over fifty years.
The locals know the best hiking trails that are not on any map.
Joaquín's café is a favourite meeting spot for locals in the neighbourhood.
- resident
more formal, simply describes someone living somewhere
- inhabitant
broader term, also used for animals or plants
- native
emphasises birthplace rather than current residence
文法句型
a local
the locals (plural)
用法筆記
Often used in the plural 'locals' when referring to residents of an area as a group. The singular form typically appears with an indefinite article: 'a local'.
常見錯誤
2. A pub or bar near someone's home that they visit regularly.
A pub or bar near someone's home that they visit regularly.
After work, Michael stopped by his local for a pint of ale.
possessive + local for one's regular pub
The Quiz Night at Vinícius's local draws a big crowd every Thursday.
Jude walked down to the local to watch the football match with friends.
Meera's local serves excellent home-cooked food at reasonable prices.
文法句型
possessive + local
the local
用法筆記
Almost always used with a possessive determiner (my/his/her local) or the definite article (the local). This sense is chiefly British English.
常見錯誤
3. A bus, train, or other public vehicle that stops at every or nearly every statio
A bus, train, or other public vehicle that stops at every or nearly every station or stop along its route, as opposed to an express that skips some stops.
Putri took the local to the next town because it was cheaper than the express.
the local (singular) meaning a local train or bus
The local from Kaohsiung stops at every small station along the coast.
Joaquín prefers catching the local when he is not in a hurry.
The local arrives once an hour and takes twice as long as the express.
- slow train
more descriptive, less idiomatic
- stopping train
British rail terminology
- express
a train or bus that skips stops
文法句型
the local
catch/take the local
用法筆記
Typically used with the definite article: 'the local'. Contrasts with 'the express'. Common verbs: 'catch', 'take', 'ride'.
常見錯誤
4. A branch or chapter of a trade union that represents workers in a specific city,
A branch or chapter of a trade union that represents workers in a specific city, district, or workplace.
The local voted to accept the new contract after a heated debate.
the local (singular) meaning a union branch
Christopher was elected secretary of the teachers' union local last spring.
Each local sends two delegates to the national conference every year.
The hospital workers' local negotiated better shift conditions for its members.
- national
the central or overarching union organisation
文法句型
the local
union local
用法筆記
Used as a countable noun referring to an organisational unit rather than a person. Commonly appears in labour-union contexts. The full phrase 'union local' is also frequent.