alter

al·ter

verb \ˈȯl-tər\

al·teredal·ter·ing\-t(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of ALTER

transitive verb

1

: to make different without changing into something else

2

: castrate, spay

intransitive verb

: to become different

— al·ter·abil·i·ty \ˌȯl-t(ə-)rə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— al·ter·able \ˈȯl-t(ə-)rə-bəl\ adjective

— al·ter·ably \-blē\ adverb

— al·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun

Examples of ALTER

1. Alcohol can alter a person's mood.
2. He altered his will to leave everything to his sister.
3. This one small event altered the course of history.
4. The place has altered in the 10 years since I left.
5. I'll need to have the dress altered before the wedding.

Origin of ALTER

Middle English, from Medieval Latin alterare, from Latin alter other (of two); akin to Latin alius other — more at else

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ALTER

Synonyms

change, make over, modify, recast, redo, refashion, remake, remodel, revamp, revise, rework, vary

Antonyms

fix, freeze, set, stabilize

Related Words

deform, metamorphose, mutate; regenerate, revolutionize, transfigure, transform, transmute; commute, convert, exchange; rejigger, retool

See Synonym Discussion at change

Rhymes with ALTER

altar, falter, halter, palter, salter, vaulter

al·ter

transitive verb \ˈȯl-tər\   (Medical Dictionary)

al·tered; al·ter·ing \-t(ə-)riŋ\ (audio pronunciation)

Medical Definition of ALTER

: castrate 1, spay