What does synchronised mean?
Synchronised describes two or more people, devices, activities, or events that have been arranged to occur at exactly the same time or to operate in close correspondence. It can refer to clocks adjusted to display the same time, recordings aligned for simultaneous playback, computer processes coordinated with one another, or swimmers whose movements match a common rhythm. The term may also carry the broader sense of being deliberately coordinated, as in a synchronised team effort, although that usage is less common. As the past tense and past participle of synchronise, it states that such an adjustment or coordination has been carried out. The word is especially frequent in technical, scientific, media, and sporting contexts. Its British spelling ends in -ise, while North American usage normally uses -ize. In everyday speech, simpler alternatives such as aligned or coordinated may sound more natural when the exact timing or matching of two things is not the main point.
Occurring or operating at the same time, or arranged so that two or more things correspond exactly in timing or operation.
"The two systems use synchronised timestamps to keep their records consistent."
Common in technical, scientific, media, and sporting contexts.
Past tense and past participle of synchronise: to arrange or adjust things so that they occur at the same time or operate in exact correspondence.
"The technicians synchronised the cameras before filming began."
The same spelling is used in the British -ise form; North American writers usually use synchronized.
Synchronised time depends on agreement: synchronise comes from Greek words meaning “together” and “time.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does synchronised come from?
The word comes through English synchronise, ultimately from Greek synchronos, meaning “simultaneous” or “happening at the same time.” Its elements combine syn-, meaning “together,” with chronos, meaning “time.” The form synchronised combines this root with the verb-forming suffix -ise and the past-participle ending -ed.
Related word forms
How synchronised is actually used
The British form uses -ise, while the North American form is commonly spelled with -ize. In the present tense, British usage generally prefers synchronise, though synchronizing is also found. The word is commonly used in technical contexts involving clocks, recordings, broadcasting, computing, and coordinated movement.
Easily confused with synchronised
Simultaneous describes events that occur at the same time, whereas synchronised describes things that have been coordinated to occur or operate at the same time or in exact correspondence.