WordGarden.iolocally
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /lˈəʊkəli/
US
- /ˈloʊkəli/
Meanings
Adverb
in the area nearby or within a particular community or region
on your own device or system rather than on a remote one
in one specific part of the body rather than throughout it
Beyond the definition
Think of your favorite farmers' market - the fresh produce you buy there is locally grown, meaning it comes from farms in your area. "Locally" describes things connected to a particular place or region. It shows that something happens, exists, or comes from nearby. You might hear about a locally owned business, a locally sourced meal, or a singer who is locally famous.
It's more than just geography, though. Saying something is "done locally" can suggest support for the community and a connection to its people or resources. It's often used in contrast to things that are mass-produced or come from far away. For example, "We prefer to buy our bread locally instead of from a large chain store."
The word "locally" is an adverb that describes something happening in or relating to a particular place or area, usually one close by. It emphasizes a connection to a specific region, community, or neighborhood.
You'll often hear it used in contexts related to business, food, and community life. "Locally sourced" food means ingredients come from nearby farms, and "shop locally" encourages people to support businesses in their own area. A company might be locally owned, a product might be made locally, or a story might be important mainly locally rather than nationally.
But "locally" isn't limited to business or food. It can describe anything happening within a specific place: locally organized events, locally broadcast news, or someone who is well known locally but not in other places.
It's often used in contrast with words like "nationally" or "globally." Something may matter locally even if it is not widely known elsewhere. For example: "The town's annual festival is a locally cherished tradition." Or, "The company sells its products locally and online," meaning it sells them within the surrounding area as well as on the internet.
So, when you hear "locally," think about connection to place - things happening in a certain area, coming from that area, or being important mainly to the people there.
Examples
- 1
Food shopping
We buy most of our vegetables locally.
- 2
Local products
The hotel serves bread and cheese made locally.
- 3
Small stores
Try to shop locally when you can, especially at small independent stores.
- 4
Local reputation
The company is well known locally, but few people outside the region have heard of it.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Local decisions
These decisions are made locally, not by the head office in London.
- 6
Device storage
The app saves your files locally, so you can open them without an internet connection.
- Domainlocally
on your own device, not on a remote server
- 7
Medicine
The medicine acts locally and does not usually affect the whole body.
- Domainacts locally
works only in the part of the body where it is used
See also
Similar
- nearby
- close by
- in the area
Shades of meaning
- regionally
- on site
- within the community
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- locally owned
- locally sourced
- locally produced
- available locally
Word family
Explore
- local area
- community-based
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- locallyadverb