change

verb

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\ ˈchānj

changed; changing

Definition of change

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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 changed his residence from Ohio to California

2a : 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 some things never change

2 : to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution winter changed to spring

3 : exchange, switch neither liked his seat so they changed with each other

4 : to put on different clothes need a few minutes to change for dinner

5 : to shift one's means of conveyance : transfer on the bus trip he had to change twice

6 of the voice : to shift to lower register : break His voice started to change when he turned 13.

7 of the moon : to pass from one phase (see phase entry 1 sense 1) to another

change hands

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

change

noun

Definition of change (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the act, process, or result of changing: such as

a : alteration a change in the weather

b : transformation a time of vast social change going through changes

c : substitution a change of scenery

d : the passage of the moon from one monthly revolution (see revolution sense 1a) to another also : the passage of the moon from one phase (see phase entry 1 sense 1) to another

e : menopause

2a : money in small denominations received in exchange for an equivalent sum in larger denominations

b : money returned when a payment exceeds the amount due a cashier quick at making change

c : coins especially of low denominations a pocketful of change

d : a negligible additional amount only six minutes and change left in the game

e : money sense 1 cost a large chunk of change

3 : a fresh set of clothes

4 British : exchange sense 5a

5 : changeup

6 : an order in which a set of bells is struck in change ringing

Other Words from change Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About change

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Choose the Right Synonym for change

Verb

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

Examples of change in a Sentence

Verb He changed from an optimist to a pessimist. The town has changed little in recent years. These events have changed me in my attitude to life. You can't change human nature. Their relationship seems to have changed for the better. The leaves change color from green to red in the fall. She changed her name when she got married. France has changed its monetary unit from the franc to the euro. change the channel on the TV Noun There has been little if any change in her daily routine. You shouldn't be afraid of change. Change is a natural part of life. The years have brought many changes to the town's economy. We need to make some changes in the system. Many voters believe that it's time for a change. We've had to make a slight change in the schedule. a change for the worse We've been so busy that a quiet day at home was a welcome change. We eat at home a lot, so dining out sometimes is a nice change. Have you got change for a $10 bill?

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Sometimes, data sources or formats change unexpectedly, leading to temporary inaccuracies in county-level data. — Steven Vargas, USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2021 The episode, related to the ongoing House Bill 6 scandal, highlights the need to change how PUCO commissioners are chosen, advocates say. — cleveland, 9 Aug. 2021 The Biden administration is offering these companies free advertising and voluntary incentives to change course. — Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 9 Aug. 2021 The United States must make significant legislative strides to signal its commitment to change in order to have any relevance at the international climate negotiations taking place later this year in Glasgow, Scotland. — John D. Sutter, CNN, 9 Aug. 2021 But last month, as Delta spread, that began to change. — BostonGlobe.com, 9 Aug. 2021 The group was quickly forced to change some plans after several of their members tested positive for covid-19. Reports that two Democrats snuck away to Europe also led to bad headlines and invited mockery from Republicans back home. — Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 9 Aug. 2021 When the delay forced her sport to change its qualifying criteria, her dreams of making the team ended. — Brian Cassella, chicagotribune.com, 9 Aug. 2021 Fraud indicators might include unexplained requests to change legal documents such as wills, trusts or the addresses where checks or account statements should be sent. — Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 9 Aug. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun By the time her son was 9, Moriko and another mother had started a support group for families looking to accept, not change, their children’s gender expression. — New York Times, 11 Aug. 2021 Now, though, a younger generation cares more about climate change, animal rights and sustainability, and there’s less backlash to meat-free eating. — Margot Seeto, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Aug. 2021 There’s a small – but possibly important – change in the payments for this month. — Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 10 Aug. 2021 On the other is the $3.5 trillion spending measure Democrats plan to ram through on their own focused on climate change, child care and education. — Matt Canham, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Aug. 2021 Overdrafting conflates with climate change, which is reducing the amount of fresh water that returns to the planet’s surface through snow and rain. — Jonathan Schifman, Popular Mechanics, 8 Aug. 2021 The bill covers roads, ports, wildlife, research & technology, climate change, and diversity initiatives. — Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 7 Aug. 2021 The change centered on an unsexy-sounding maneuver known as a Roth conversion. — ProPublica, 6 Aug. 2021 Not just a concert, Can't Wait Live will also serve as a rally, where artists, activists and the Working Families Party will call on Congress to pass legislation investing in important causes like immigration, climate change, healthcare and housing. — Stephen Daw, Billboard, 6 Aug. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'change.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near change

Changde

change

change a baby

Statistics for change

Last Updated

12 Aug 2021

Cite this Entry

“Change.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/change. Accessed 21 Aug. 2021.

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More Definitions for change

change

verb

English Language Learners Definition of change

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to become different

: to make (someone or something) different

: to become something else

change

noun

English Language Learners Definition of change (Entry 2 of 2)

: the act of becoming different or of causing someone or something to become different

: the act of replacing one thing with another

: the act of moving from one plane, train, etc., to another in order to continue a journey

See the full definition for change in the English Language Learners Dictionary

change

verb

\ ˈchānj

changed; changing

Kids Definition of change

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to make or become different changing autumn leaves I like how you've changed this room.

2 : to give a different position, course, or direction to I changed my plans.

3 : to put one thing in the place of another : switch Our teacher made us change places.

4 : to give or receive an equal amount of money in usually smaller units of value or in the money of another country Can you change a ten-dollar bill?

5 : to put fresh clothes or covering on change a bed

6 : to put on different clothes We always change for dinner.

change hands

: to pass from one person's possession or ownership to another's The restaurant has changed hands.

change

noun

Kids Definition of change (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the act, process, or result of making or becoming different There's been a change in plans. a change of seasons

2 : something that is different from what is usual or expected The trip was a welcome change from our routine.

3 : a fresh set of clothes Pack several changes for your vacation.

4 : money in small units of value received in exchange for an equal amount in larger units Do you have change for a ten-dollar bill?

5 : money returned when a payment is more than the amount due Don't forget your change.

6 : money in coins I have two dollars in change.

Choose the Right Synonym for change

Verb

change, alter, and vary mean to make or become different. change may be used for making such a difference in a thing that it becomes something else. They've changed the house into a restaurant. Change may also be used for substituting one thing for another. We changed our seats for better ones. alter is used for making a small difference in something. He altered the picture by adding color. vary is used for making a difference in order to break away from a routine. The boss varied our tasks.