change

1 of 2

verb

ˈchānj 

changed; changing

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

changed his residence from Ohio to California

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

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

changer noun

change

2 of 2

noun

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

2

a

: 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

Phrases

change hands

: to pass from the possession of one owner to that of another

money changes hands many times

Synonyms

Verb

• alter
• make over
• modify
• recast
• redo
• refashion
• remake
• remodel
• revamp
• revise
• rework
• vary

Noun

• alteration
• difference
• modification
• redoing
• refashioning
• remaking
• remodeling
• revamping
• review
• revise
• revision
• reworking
• variation

Choose the Right Synonym for change

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

Show them that changing their skin now, or obsessing over one type of look that puts them in a box, isn’t necessarily the best use of their time—these trends are likely to surge in popularity and then completely disappear just as quickly. —Jana Pollack, Parents, 24 Apr. 2025

The climate keeps changing, despite the Trump administration's attempt to silence the entire phenomenon. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025

Noun

For example, if your excessive thirst is caused by diabetes mellitus, your healthcare provider will recommend lifestyle changes and/or medications to help lower your blood sugar levels. —Danielle Weiss, Verywell Health, 25 Apr. 2025

This means more automation and reducing the role of humans in implementing changes. —Doug Fuehne, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

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

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing change

• a change for the better
• a change for the worse
• a change of air
• a change of scene/scenery
• a leopard can't change its spots
• and change
• change a baby
• change a bed
• change a flat
• change a (flat) tire
• change around
• change color
• change down
• change gear
• change horses in midstream
• change my song
• change off
• change of heart
• change of life
• change of pace
• change of plan
• change of seasons
• change of underwear
• change one's mind
• change one's opinion/views
• change one's story
• change one's tune
• change one's ways
• change order
• change over to
• change purse
• change ringing
• change round
• change someone's mind
• change (something) over to
• change the subject
• chop and change
• chump change
• chunk of change
• climate change
• climate change denial
• climate change denier
• for a change
• loose change
• make change
• oil change
• rate of change
• sea change
• sex change
• sex change operation
• sex change surgery
• small change
• spare change
• step change
• subject to change
• the change
• the change of life
• winds of change

Rhymes for change

• grange
• mange
• range
• strange
• arrange
• derange
• estrange
• exchange
• midrange
• interchange
• rearrange

Kids Definition

change

1 of 2 verb

ˈchānj 

changed; changing

1

: to make or become different : alter

2

: to give a different position, course, or direction to

3

: to replace with another : switch, exchange

change places

4

: to give or receive an equal amount of money in usually smaller units of value or in a foreign currency

change a $10 bill

5

a

: to put fresh clothes or covering on

change a bed

b

: to put on different clothes

changer noun

change

2 of 2 noun

1

: the act, process, or result of changing

a change of seasons

a change for the better

2

: a fresh set of clothes

3

a

: money in small units of value received in exchange for an equal amount in larger units

b

: money returned when a payment is more than the amount due

c

: money in coins

d

: money sense 1a

cost a large chunk of change