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

Mr Dershowitz says that could change, for example if a president refused to leave office after being found guilty by the Senate. — The Economist, "The case against impeachment," 12 July 2018 This has changed somewhat as the genre has evolved. — Josie Duffy Rice, The Atlantic, "The Gospel According to Pusha T," 12 July 2018 The design of the keyboard on these MacBook Pros has changed but not in the way that many were hoping. — Dieter Bohn, The Verge, "Apple’s new MacBook Pros have the latest Intel processors and quieter keyboards," 12 July 2018 The third issue is adapting to changing labour markets. — The Economist, "The welfare state needs updating," 12 July 2018 Alaska’s appetite for oil is as ubiquitous as the state’s proliferating examples of a changing climate. — Kelsey Brugger, Scientific American, "Alaska Wants to Fight Warming While Still Drilling for Oil," 12 July 2018 But MacFarlane has found a way to boost efficiencies by changing the electrolyte. — Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, "Ammonia—a renewable fuel made from sun, air, and water—could power the globe without carbon," 12 July 2018 As with last year’s Home (Peace of Coal), most of his bands feature top-notch improvisational voices from the local scene who change the complexion of the music and frequently extend his songs into powerful meditations. — Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader, "Caleb Willitz perpetually refines his pensive folk-rock sound by working with some of Chicago’s strongest improvisers," 12 July 2018 Meanwhile, Meghan has already hung up her taupe Roland Mouret dress at the back of the closet, and changed into a more casual Givenchy look. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle Braves Athletic Field in Heels at Ireland's Croke Park," 11 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The change also comes a day after two Louisville football players, Seth Dawkins and Jaylen Smith, took to Twitter and called on the university to remove the Papa John’s name from their home stadium. — Stephen Sorace, Fox News, "Papa John's name removed from Louisville stadium following n-word controversy," 14 July 2018 That proposed contract, one of the largest collective-bargaining agreements in the U.S., includes pay raises for existing workers and a provision that UPS must review with the union technology changes such as the use of drones. — Jennifer Smith, WSJ, "UPS, Teamsters Reach Tentative Deal on Trucking Labor Contract," 13 July 2018 The rule change was proposed by the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters, in cooperation with the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, which represents HFD's 4,000 members. — Zach Despart, Houston Chronicle, "Amid probe of HFD, Texas fire commission adopts stricter rule on gear cleaning," 13 July 2018 The change aims to add between 10 to 15 minutes in class for students. — Diane Smith, star-telegram, "Hey, Fort Worth students, do you know what time classes start next school year?," 13 July 2018 The changes approved today mostly deal with formal complaints about utility poles. — Klint Finley, WIRED, "It Just Got Easier for the FCC to Ignore Your Complaints," 12 July 2018 The Spanish-speaking man puts his cell phone near Brice’s face as the time on the display change from 7:59 to 8:00. — Nyssa Kruse, courant.com, "CRT Volunteer George Brice Helps The Hungry, 'Rain Or Shine'," 12 July 2018 The county is willing to step up to facilitate the changes that are necessary to promote the public health and well-being of Sativa customers. — Ruben Vives, latimes.com, "Agency that delivered brown, smelly water to customers should be dissolved, board rules," 12 July 2018 The fresh change can be somewhat chalked up to working with Swedish producers Jonatan Gusmark and Ludvig Evers (a.k.a Moonshine) who would inevitably help make the group more Western-accessible. — Jeff Benjamin, Billboard, "TWICE Prove How Bubblegum K-Pop Can Have Major Western Appeal With 'Dance the Night Away'," 12 July 2018

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.

History and Etymology for change

Verb

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

Noun

see change entry 1

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Dictionary Entries near change

Statistics for change

Last Updated

7 Oct 2018

Look-up Popularity

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

: to become different

: to make (someone or something) different

: to become something else

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.