canonicalize
/kəˈnɒn.ɪ.kə.laɪz/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To make something follow a standard, official, or accepted form. In computing, it often means turning data or a name into one fixed form.
- Please canonicalize the address before saving it.
- The software canonicalized the file paths automatically.
- Writers often canonicalize names in formal documents.
Adinary Nuance
Canonicalize is more technical than make standard, and more specific than normalize. Use canonicalize when you mean changing something into one official or fixed form, especially in computing or formal systems. In everyday speech, people usually say standardize or simplify instead.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- chuẩn hóa
- Spanish
- canonizar
- Chinese
- 规范化
- Japanese
- 正規化
- Korean
- 정규화
Etymology
Built in English from canonical and the verb ending -ize. It became common in technical and academic writing in the late 20th century, especially in computing.
Common phrases
canonicalize datacanonicalize a URLcanonicalize file namescanonicalize an address
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is canonicalize a common everyday word?
- No. It is mostly used in computing, academic writing, and technical documents.
- What is the difference between canonicalize and normalize?
- Canonicalize means making one fixed official form. Normalize is broader and can mean making something usual or standard.
- Can I use canonicalize in business writing?
- Yes, but mainly in technical or formal business writing, not casual speech.
- How do I use canonicalize in a sentence?
- Use it with a thing being changed: 'The system canonicalizes user input.'