Customization

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The practice of altering or modifying products or services to specifically meet the unique demands and desires of an individual results in enhanced personal relevance
2. Adjustments made to existing items or services with the intention of better aligning them with a user's preferences or needs reflect a personalized approach
3. The act of tailoring products or services to fit an individual’s specific preferences and requirements allows for a more personal experience

Etymology: Custom and costume are the same word in origin. Both descend from Old French "costume," which came from Latin "consuetudo," meaning habit or accustomed practice, from "consuescere," to accustom. English kept "custom" for habitual practice and later borrowed "costume" from French for clothing, so the two became doublets. "Customization" is built from "custom," the verb-forming suffix "-ize," and the noun-forming "-ation." "Custom" also once meant a buyer's patronage, which is why "customer" exists. A thing made to a particular patron's order was customary for that patron, and the verb grew out of that trade sense. The modern sense of personal adjustment, changing a product to suit one owner, belongs to the same idea of fitting goods to a particular buyer. It is most often used of cars, clothing, and software.

Synonyms: personalization, modification, alteration, tailoring

Antonyms: standardization, uniformity, uniformness