local

[ loh-kuhl ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or characterized by place or position in space; spatial.
2. pertaining to, characteristic of, or restricted to a particular place or particular places:

   a local custom.

3. pertaining to a city, town, or small district rather than an entire state or country:

   local transportation.

4. stopping at most or all stations:

   a local train.

5. pertaining to or affecting a particular part or particular parts, as of a physical system or organism:

   a local disease.

6. Medicine/Medical. (of anesthesia or an anesthetic) affecting only a particular part or area of the body, without concomitant loss of consciousness, as distinguished from general anesthesia.

noun

1. a local train, bus, etc.
2. a newspaper item of local interest.
3. a local branch of a union, fraternity, etc.
4. a local anesthetic.
5. Often locals.
   1. a local person or resident:

      primarily of interest to locals.

   2. a local athletic team:

      the locals versus the state champions.

6. stamp ( def 22 ).
7. British Informal. a neighborhood pub.

verb (used without object)

1. Informal. to travel by or take a local train or the like.

local

/ ˈləʊkəl /

adjective

1. characteristic of or associated with a particular locality or area
2. of, concerned with, or relating to a particular place or point in space
3. med of, affecting, or confined to a limited area or part Compare general systemic
4. (of a train, bus, etc) stopping at all stations or stops

noun

1. a train, bus, etc, that stops at all stations or stops
2. an inhabitant of a specified locality
3. informal.
   a pub close to one's home or place of work
4. med short for local anaesthetic
5. an item of local interest in a newspaper
6. a local or regional branch of an association
7. a telephone extension

Derived Forms

• ˈlocalness, noun

Other Words From

• local·ness noun
• inter·local adjective
• inter·local·ly adverb
• non·local adjective noun
• non·local·ly adverb
• super·local adjective
• super·local·ly adverb
• un·local adjective
• un·local·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of local¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Late Latin word locālis. See locus, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of local¹

C15: via Old French from Late Latin locālis, from Latin locus place, locus

Example Sentences

General ticket sales begin Friday at noon local time, but artist presale starts Wednesday at noon local time.

From Los Angeles Times

Although some fans and locals quietly lined the street during the service, One Direction’s legion of fans did not converge on the small town.

From Los Angeles Times

He also accused the Home Office of a “total lack of transparency”, saying local authorities were not being consulted.

From BBC

First Minister Michelle O'Neill said that Mr Reid was "a true giant in local journalism, and an all-round gentleman".

From BBC

She said she was still operating it and "delivering local sessions".

From BBC

Related Words

• resident