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 verb1 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 to2 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 verb1: to become different <her mood changes every hour>2of the moon : to pass from one phase to another3: to shift one's means of conveyance : transfer <on the bus trip he had to change twice>4of the voice : to shift to lower register : break5: 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>.