local
/ˈləʊ.kəl/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
From or in a particular area, town, or country. A local person or thing belongs to that place or is common there.
- We buy vegetables from the local market.
- Local people know the best tea shops.
- This train makes local stops only.
noun
A person who lives in a place. It can also mean a local place, product, or service in some contexts.
- Ask a local for directions.
- The locals were very friendly.
- We tried a local near the station.
Adinary Nuance
Local is often more specific than nearby or regional. It points to one place, town, or area, not a wider district. Use local when you mean something belongs to the immediate area, especially in everyday and business English.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- địa phương
- Spanish
- local
- Chinese
- 当地
- Japanese
- 地元の
- Korean
- 지역의
Etymology
Local comes from Late Latin localis, from locus meaning 'place'. It entered English in the 16th century.
Common phrases
local marketlocal peoplelocal arealocal authority
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is local the same as nearby?
- No. Nearby means close in distance. Local means connected to a specific place or area.
- Can I use local for people?
- Yes. A local is a person who lives in that place.
- Is local formal or informal?
- It is neutral. You can use it in speaking, writing, and business English.
- What's the difference between local and regional?
- Local is smaller and more specific. Regional covers a larger area, like a state or zone.