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Definition of locale

locale

/loʊˈkæl/
lo · cale
Adverb:locally
•
Plural:locales
•
Adjective:local
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locale Lexical Profile

locale Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A place or venue where something happens or is set, or that has particular events associated with it.

Example

"The director scouted several coastal towns before choosing an idyllic Mediterranean island as the primary locale for the film."

2

In computing, a set of parameters that defines the user's language, country, and any special variant preferences, such as date formats and currency symbols, for a software interface.

Example

"The application automatically detects the system locale to display dates, numbers, and currency in the user's native format."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for locale

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'locale' (always a noun meaning a specific setting or venue, accented on the second syllable) with 'local' (primarily an adjective meaning nearby or regional, accented on the first syllable).

• Rhymes for locale

• Nearby Words

lobsterman
lobularia
local
locale
localism
locality
localization

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 18th century from French 'local' (used as a noun meaning 'place' or 'premises'), ultimately from Latin 'localis' ('pertaining to a place'), from 'locus' ('place'). The final '-e' was added in English to reflect the French pronunciation and distinguish it from the adjective 'local'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Locale. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/locale
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