Main Entry: ¹change

Pronunciation: \ˈchānj\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): changed; chang·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French changer, from Latin cambiare to exchange, probably of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish camm crooked

Date: 13th century

transitive verb 1 a : to make different in some particular : alter <never bothered to change the will> b : to make radically different : transform <can't change human nature> c : to give a different position, course, or direction to
2 a : to replace with another <let's change the subject> b : to make a shift from one to another : switch <always changes sides in an argument> c : to exchange for an equivalent sum of money (as in smaller denominations or in a foreign currency) <change a 20-dollar bill> d : to undergo a modification of <foliage changing color> e : to put fresh clothes or covering on <change a bed>intransitive verb 1 : to become different <her mood changes every hour>
2 of the moon : to pass from one phase to another
3 : to shift one's means of conveyance : transfer <on the bus trip he had to change twice>
4 of the voice : to shift to lower register : break
5 : to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution <winter changed to spring>
6 : to put on different clothes <need a few minutes to change for dinner>
7 : exchange, switch <neither liked his seat so they changed with each other>

— chang·er noun

— change hands : to pass from the possession of one owner to that of another <money changes hands many times>

synonyms change, alter, vary, modify mean to make or become different. change implies making either an essential difference often amounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another <changed the shirt for a larger size>. alter implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity <slightly altered the original design>. vary stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition <vary your daily routine>. modify suggests a difference that limits, restricts, or adapts to a new purpose <modified the building for use by the disabled>.