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 That doesn’t mean that’s the finish line and things won’t change. — Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, "Greg Sankey to Finebaum after SEC meetings; ‘I don’t know if it is every conference for ourselves’," 13 July 2020 Reeves warned that Mississippi’s health care system will be overwhelmed if the state does not change its trajectory on coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. — USA TODAY, "Post-rally surge, PPE stocks, antibody study: News from around our 50 states," 11 July 2020 The one thing that won’t change though, is Brown’s role in the protests or the fight against COVID-19 in his hometown. — Cameron Teague Robinson, The Courier-Journal, "Jamon Brown using platform for activism during protests, COVID-19 pandemic in Louisville," 11 July 2020 The dates and information on the Parks and Recreation website are current and will not change unless directed by the state guidelines. — cleveland, "Avon Brewing Company Presents ZZ’s Big Top set to open July 18: Short Takes on Avon, Avon Lake and North Ridgeville," 10 July 2020 The State Department said the United States would continue to seek reform of the WHO, but referred to Mr. Trump's June 15 response when asked if the administration might change its mind. — Matthew Lee, The Christian Science Monitor, "It's official, US withdraws from World Health Organization," 8 July 2020 But whereas people’s overall diets didn’t change much after 1066, life for pigs was apparently quite different. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "The Norman Conquest didn’t change ordinary people’s lives very much," 6 July 2020 So the Rosati family would celebrate a day or two later, marking the passage of time, even though Rick didn't necessarily change much from year to year. — Katherine Fitzgerald, The Arizona Republic, "Rick Rosati brought his family's pizza to Arizona. Now he'll live on through the legacy," 6 July 2020 The university said in a statement that removing the mural is necessary for the community to heal and does not change history. — Washington Post, "Author sues to stop removal of controversial Kentucky mural," 6 July 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The sudden change, announced without warning on July 6, is in effect a move back to an existing rule that foreign students must attend in-person classes to keep their visas. — oregonlive, "Oregon, Oregon State go to court to block federal ruling that could bar foreign students," 13 July 2020 Most of these companies did, however, change CEOs in 2019 (before the pandemic) or have notable high-level employees leave during the pandemic. — Ella Lee, USA TODAY, "Fact check: These 11 CEOs stepped down during COVID-19 pandemic," 13 July 2020 That makes the predicament of local news akin to other slow-moving crises, among them climate change, the erosion of democratic norms, and the erosion of constitutional rights. — Megan Garber, The Atlantic, "The National Emergency at Your Doorstep," 11 July 2020 How does prevalence change with age, household size, profession, socioeconomic status, children’s participation in day care and sports, and personal behavior? — Anna Kuchment, Dallas News, "Exclusive: Researchers are launching a massive study to tell us how prevalent COVID-19 is in North Texas," 10 July 2020 The convenience store chain Wawa, for one, is asking patrons of its 850 outlets to use exact change, or else pay with a credit or debit card, or by using the company's mobile app. — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, "Wawa asks customers to use exact change, citing coin shortage," 10 July 2020 And, should the General Assembly change state law, the draft ordinance calls for the inspector general to have the power to issue subpoenas, administer oaths and compel testimony. — Darcy Costello, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville could soon see 'hybrid' civilian review of the police department. What to know," 10 July 2020 But rather than defending her record and resisting the historic push for change, Chief Best – one of only a handful of women of color to lead a big-city police department in the United States – has kept an open mind. — Ann Scott Tyson, The Christian Science Monitor, "A police chief’s message to community: Help us ‘do a better job’," 9 July 2020 Building entirely new pipelines to increase fossil fuel supply goes against the consensus on climate change, which calls for reduced reliance on carbon-emitting fuels. — Eamon Barrett, Fortune, "Environmental regulations bring a halt to two major oil and gas pipelines," 9 July 2020

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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Last Updated

30 Jul 2020

Cite this Entry

“Change.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/change. Accessed 5 Aug. 2020.

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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.