change

verb

\ 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

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.

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

During the coming weeks, Churchill’s courageous decisions and leadership help change the course of world history. — Los Angeles Times, "Here are the feature and TV films airing the week of Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019," 11 Aug. 2019 But no major party bar the LDP unreservedly backs changing Article 9. — The Economist, "Can Shinzo Abe change Japan’s basic law?," 10 Aug. 2019 Ready for another crazy but great money idea that could change your life for the better? — Michael Taylor, ExpressNews.com, "We have nothing to fear from employers disclosing salaries," 9 Aug. 2019 The menu is admirably flexible, changing to feature ingredients at their seasonal peak. — Jessica Henderson, The New Yorker, "Rezdôra Brings Northern Italy to New York City," 9 Aug. 2019 To do this would mean changing the law that has thus far been credited with making an open internet possible: Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. — Melissa Gira Grant, The New Republic, "No Law Can Ban White Supremacy From the Internet," 9 Aug. 2019 The judge’s ruling last weekend changed all that, and reunited a mother with her children. — Mikala Kane, courant.com, "Good news this week: A Glastonbury mom wins her custody battle in the UAE, and 10 Connecticut colleges make the Princeton Review’s best colleges list," 9 Aug. 2019 But arguably the most famous route through the city still puts people in cars, and that should change. — Heather Knight, SFChronicle.com, "Forget driving. It’s time to rethink the 49 Mile Scenic Drive with #TotalSF," 9 Aug. 2019 Boulder’s announcement of its changing relationship with BI followed a Thursday morning meeting between company representatives and advocates for the immigrant community facilitated by the Boulder Chamber, of which BI is a member. — Sam Lounsberry, The Denver Post, "Boulder police told to stop providing off-duty officers to firm with federal immigration contract," 9 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Beyond the Mediterranean, climate change researchers working in the Black Sea also discovered 60 shipwrecks dating back 2,500 years, which include vessels from the Roman and Byzantine eras. — Fox News, "Stunning cargo-laden ancient shipwrecks discovered off Greek island," 10 Aug. 2019 But his changes went far beyond simply coaching the first team, implementing a club-wide model that ensured players at every level were drilled in the same skills, techniques and way of playing. — SI.com, "Johan Cruyff: The Visionary Who Became the Most Important Man in the History of Football," 9 Aug. 2019 Castro vowed to include biofuels in his plan to fight climate change — a pet issue for many Iowans — and drawing applause for a promise to make American health care good enough so patients don't have to go to Canada or Mexico to seek treatment. — Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, "Julián Castro works the Iowa State Fair, issues 'plan to disarm hate' after El Paso rampage," 9 Aug. 2019 But according to a new study, 100-degree weather could soon become a much more common forecast for Houston and cities nationwide if no action is taken to address climate change. — Rebecca Hennes, Houston Chronicle, "New climate change data shows more 'dangerously hot' days in Houston on the horizon," 9 Aug. 2019 More consumers want companies to address societal problems, including climate change and crumbling infrastructure. — Kim Sheehan, The Conversation, "Companies promoting causes can be accused of ‘wokewashing’ – allying themselves only for good PR," 9 Aug. 2019 Higher energy neutrinos oscillate more slowly than lower energy ones, so physicists have to measure the muon neutrinos' energy spectrum in each detector to see whether its shape changes with distance the correct way. — Adrian Cho, Science | AAAS, "Resurrected detector will hunt for some of the strangest particles in the universe," 8 Aug. 2019 His habitat changes throughout the year to reflect wet and dry seasons. — Kathleen Christiansen, orlandosentinel.com, "Disney: Animal Kingdom cast members share facts on Wild Africa Trek," 8 Aug. 2019 Reports indicate that the Indian government informed the United States well in advance of its status change, and hopes that American silence on the issue means that the international community will also remain silent. — Johann Chacko, Quartz India, "With Kashmir move, India risks losing the upper hand of a responsible, nuclear-armed democracy," 6 Aug. 2019

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

Statistics for change

Last Updated

12 Aug 2019

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Time Traveler for change

The first known use of change was in the 13th century

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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.