local
LOH-kl
Local (adj) means belonging to or existing in a particular, nearby area. Example: “She shops at the local farmers' market every Saturday.”
adj
1
Belonging to or existing in a particular, nearby area.
"She shops at the local farmers' market every Saturday."
"The local news covered the story before the national outlets did."
"The local bakery opens early for people on their way to work."
2
Affecting or accessible in only one part of a system, rather than the whole.
"The doctor used a local anesthetic instead of putting him fully under."
"The variable is local to this function and can't be accessed elsewhere."
"Changes you make in a local copy of the file will not affect the shared version."
How to use local
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to a particular, nearby place, or restricted to just one part of something.
Common pairings
local news
local business
local anesthetic
go local
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more local
- Superlative
- most local
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She shops at the _____ farmers' market every Saturday.
Etymology
From Late Latin locālis, "belonging to a place", ultimately from Latin locus, "a place".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for local
See all rhymes for local →Frequently asked questions
What does “local” mean?
The word “local” means belonging to or existing in a particular, nearby area. In plain terms, relating to a particular, nearby place, or restricted to just one part of something.
How do you pronounce “local”?
“Local” is pronounced LOH-kl (/ˈloʊ.kl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “local” in a sentence?
Here is “local” used in a sentence: “She shops at the local farmers' market every Saturday.”
What part of speech is “local”?
“Local” is an adjective.
Where does the word “local” come from?
The word “local” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin locālis, "belonging to a place", ultimately from Latin locus, "a place".
Is “local” a common word?
“Local” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “local” have?
“Local” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: belonging to or existing in a particular, nearby area.
What is the difference between "local" and "regional"?
Both describe things tied to a place, but the scale differs. "Local" points to a small, nearby area, such as your town or neighbourhood. "Regional" covers a much larger zone, such as a county or a whole part of a country. A local shop serves a few streets; a regional chain spans many towns.
What is the opposite of "local"?
It depends on the contrast you mean. Against distance, the opposite is "national," "international," or "global," which reach far beyond the nearby area. Against origin, the opposite is "foreign" or "imported." A "local" newspaper contrasts with a "national" one; "local" produce contrasts with "imported" produce.
What is an example of "local"?
"The local bakery" is the one in your own neighbourhood. "Local news" covers events in your town, not the wider world. "Local residents," "local time," and "a local team" all point to something belonging to a particular nearby area rather than a distant or wider one.
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