3 syllables: cus, tom, ized. Stress on cus.
KUHS-tuh-meyezd
/ˈkʌstəˌmaɪzd/
customized is pronounced KUHS-tuh-meyezd (/ˈkʌstəˌmaɪzd/). It has three syllables (cus-tom-ized), with the stress on "cus". Customized describes something tailored or adapted for a particular user or use, created to fit specific requirements. It implies deliberate modification rather than generic applicability. In practice, it often refers to products, services, or experiences that have been adjusted to meet individual needs. The term conveys personalization and intentional specificity.
Customized describes something tailored or adapted for a particular user or use, created to fit specific requirements. It implies deliberate modification rather than generic applicability. In practice, it often refers to products, services, or experiences that have been adjusted to meet individual needs. The term conveys personalization and intentional specificity.
"The company offers customized software solutions for financial institutions."
"She wore a customized suit that perfectly matched her measurements."
"They provide customized travel itineraries based on your interests and budget."
Pronounce as /ˈkʌs.təˌmaɪzd/ in US and UK English, with primary stress on the first syllable ‘CUS-’ and secondary stress on ‘-maized.’ The sequence is a quick, light pause between syllables: cus-tuh-maizd. In connected speech, the middle syllable reduces to schwa /tə/ while the final -ized brings a /aɪzd/ cluster similar to ‘maize’ with a zed ending. Audio references: consult Cambridge or Oxford pronunciations and Forvo entries for speaker variation.
Common errors: (1) Misplacing stress, saying /ˈkʌs.təˈmaɪzd/ with secondary stress on the wrong syllable; (2) Not fully voicing the /d/ at the end or misproducing /maɪzd/ as /maɪz/ without the /d/; (3) Reducing the first syllable too much to /kʌs/ without natural schwa in the second syllable. Correction: keep primary stress on /ˈkʌs/, ensure /tə/ is a relaxed schwa, and articulate the final /maɪzd/ with a short /ɪ/ before /z/ then /d/ clearly.
US/UK/AU share /ˈkʌs.təˌmaɪzd/, but rhoticity can color the /ɹ/ in nearby words; primary stress remains on the first syllable. In US, vowels may be slightly tighter and the /ɪ/ in -ed may be reduced. In UK, the final /d/ can be released more crisply or sometimes elided in rapid speech. Australian tends toward smoother vowel transitions and less pronounced /ɪ/ in connected speech; overall, the rhythm remains similar but with a more relaxed jaw.
The difficulty lies in the three-syllable sequence with the tricky -tuh- portion and the final -maɪzd containing the /maɪ/ diphthong and final /zd/ cluster. The blend of /t/ and /m/ can cause a slight insertion or slurring if the tongue isn’t ready. Practice transitioning from the alveolar stop /t/ to the mid-central /ə/ and then to the diphthong /aɪ/ followed by /zd/ to avoid a neutralized ending.
Tip: anchor the first syllable with a crisp /k/ release and quick /ʌ/ vowel, then glide to a softened /tə/ as a schwa before the /maɪzd/. The final cluster /maɪzd/ should be a clean /maɪ/ followed by a voiced /z/ and /d/. Visualize the mouth shaping as: lips rounded slightly on /m/ and /aɪ/ then jaw relaxes for /zd/ tumble. This avoids a flat ending and preserves the natural cadence.
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References: IPA transcriptions and practical examples in Cambridge/Oxford pronunciations; Forvo and YouGlish for speaker variety.
Customized comes from the verb customize, which itself originates from the phrase customize, meaning to adapt to a custom or individual preference. The root word is custom, from the Old French costume or Latin consuetudinem (habit, custom), which referred to a longstanding practice or law. The English noun custom (from Old French coutume) and the verb customize both emerged in Middle English. The suffix -ized (past participle/ adjective-forming) entered English via -ize verbs from Greek through Latin, implying caused to be in a specified state. The sense of “made to fit or suit a particular person or use” solidified in modern times with the rise of personalized goods and services in the late 20th century. First attested in print in the mid-20th century, the term accelerated with mass customization trends, where products or experiences are altered for individual customers, a practice now ubiquitous in tech, retail, and manufacturing.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "customized" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "customized"
-ted sounds
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