local

/ˈloʊkəl/
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Connected with a particular nearby area, or limited to one place or part.

Examples

  • The festival attracts both local and international visitors.
  • The cream provides local relief from itching.
  • Apply local pressure to stop the bleeding.
  • The café is popular with locals.
  • The story appeared in the local newspaper.

Similar words

limited
neighbor
stopping service
on-device
offline
localized
inhabitant
local branch
district
chapter

Meanings

Connected with one area

adjective
place
neutral
Belonging to, serving, or happening in a particular area, especially the area nearby.

Examples

  • We buy vegetables from a local farm.
  • The story appeared in the local newspaper.
  • Ask at the local library for details.
  • She supports local businesses whenever she can.
  • The festival attracts both local and international visitors.

Similar words

Limited to one body area

adjective
medicine
technical
Affecting or treating only one part of the body rather than the whole body.

Examples

  • The dentist used a local anesthetic before the procedure.
  • The infection caused local swelling around the cut.
  • Apply local pressure to stop the bleeding.
  • The cream provides local relief from itching.
  • Doctors found a local reaction near the injection site.

Similar words

On the current device or network

adjective
computing
technical
Stored, running, or available on the device or network being used, rather than reached through a remote system.

Examples

  • Save a local copy before editing the shared file.
  • The app can run on a local server.
  • Your changes are stored in local memory first.
  • Only local users can access this folder.
  • The technician checked the local network for faults.

Similar words

Person from the area

noun
community
neutral
Someone who lives in, comes from, or knows the place being discussed.

Examples

  • A local showed us the quickest route.
  • The café is popular with locals.
  • Ask a local where to eat.
  • Few locals visit the beach in winter.
  • She has lived here long enough to feel like a local.

Similar words

Nearby place, service, or branch

noun
community
informal
A nearby place or service used regularly, or a branch of a larger organization that serves one area.

Examples

  • We met for a drink at the local after work.
  • She takes the local instead of the express train.
  • The dispute was handled by the union local.
  • He stopped at his local for a newspaper.
  • Members elected a new president of their local.

Similar words

Etymology

From Late Latin localis, meaning ‘relating to a place’, from Latin locus, ‘place’. The noun uses developed from the adjective.

FAQ

What does local mean?

Local usually describes something connected with a particular nearby area or limited to one place or part.

Can local be a noun?

Yes. A local can be a person from an area, or informally a nearby place, service, or organizational branch.

What is a local person?

A local is someone who lives in, comes from, or knows the place being discussed.

What does local mean in computing?

It means stored, running, or available on the current device or network rather than on a remote system.

What is a local anesthetic?

It is medicine that removes feeling from one part of the body without making the whole person unconscious.

What is the opposite of local?

The opposite depends on context. It may be national, global, systemic, or remote.

Where does local come from?

It comes from Late Latin localis, ‘relating to a place’, based on Latin locus, ‘place’.

How is local pronounced?

In General American English, local is pronounced /ˈloʊkəl/.

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