change

verb \ ˈchānj \

Updated on: 6 Dec 2017

Definition of change

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

her mood changes every hour

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 ¹phase 1) to another

—

changer

noun

— change hands

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

money changes hands many times

See change defined for English-language learners

See change defined for kids

Examples of change in a Sentence

Her mood changes every hour.
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.
Life changed him from an optimist into a pessimist.
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

Recent Examples of change from the Web

His early departure would mean the top three positions at the Fed changing over within a relatively short period.

— matthew boesler, Bloomberg.com, "New York Fed's Dudley Close to Announcing Retirement, CNBC Says," 5 Nov. 2017
Often, people just don’t like the idea of their neighborhood changing—and granting a zoning exception truly can reshape life in a town.

— emma green, The Atlantic, "The Quiet Religious-Freedom Fight That Is Remaking America," 5 Nov. 2017
The change to the plan frees up money for Brady, the committee's chairman, to use to address concerns by lawmakers when changing the bill further next week.

— CBS News, "House GOP quietly revises tax bill to tax income at higher rates over time," 4 Nov. 2017
His defense is built on creating turnovers and changing momentum.

— zach osterman, The Courier-Journal, "IU football: Breaking through now beyond reach for Hoosiers, after 45-17 loss," 4 Nov. 2017
For years, some in Silicon Valley have pushed against changing the 1996 Communications Decency Act to enable states and victims to hold websites liable if criminal material is posted on their sites.

— seema mehta, latimes.com, "Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti heads to Indiana next week to launch nonprofit," 3 Nov. 2017
The newest items in the Design for All line include a jacket with zip-off sleeves, and leggings and bodysuits that make changing diapers easier.

— Health.com, "This Target Brand Just Made Adaptive Clothes for Kids With Disabilities. Here’s Why That’s Important (And Totally Awesome)," 2 Nov. 2017
Kylie Jenner, whose maybe-pregnancy is driving the world insane, is known for her always changing hair colors.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "You Won't Recognize Kylie Jenner With Blue Eyes," 1 Nov. 2017
But all these solutions as outlined—criminal justice reform, affordable health care, changing the way substance use is stigmatized in society—are not being pursued equally by the two major political parties.

— zachary siegel, Slate Magazine, "Where Are the Opioid Recovery Activists?," 29 Oct. 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of change

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

change Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

fix, freeze, set, stabilize

Related Words

deform, metamorphose, mutate; regenerate, revolutionize, transfigure, transform, transmute; commute, convert, exchange; rejigger, retool

Synonym Discussion of 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

change

noun

Definition of change

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 1a) to another; also : the passage of the moon from one phase (see ¹phase 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 1

cost a large chunk of change

3 : a fresh set of clothes

4 British : exchange 5a

5 : changeup

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

See change defined for English-language learners

Examples of change in a Sentence

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 of change from the Web

Analysis of Microsoft's patch strongly indicates that the company didn't make changes to the source code at all.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "How to fix a program without the source code? Patch the binary directly," 17 Nov. 2017
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was quick to commend his last-minute tactical changes before the Reds' drubbing of West Ham at the London stadium.

— SI.com, "Jurgen Klopp Claims Tactical Change Inspired Liverpool to Resounding Victory Against Hammers," 5 Nov. 2017
November 3, 2017 —After a grilling by Congress for allowing Russia to meddle in the 2016 elections, the nation’s biggest social media providers are starting to make changes to their platforms.

— The Christian Science Monitor, "Social media shine a light on themselves," 4 Nov. 2017
House Republicans on Friday quietly made changes to their far-reaching tax overhaul: Now its tax cuts would be less generous for many Americans.

— CBS News, "House GOP quietly revises tax bill to tax income at higher rates over time," 4 Nov. 2017
Twitter declined to make simple changes that would've mitigated the problem -- like requiring a phone number to make an account or labeling bot accounts with a digital marker, according to some of the employees.

— selina wang, Bloomberg.com, "Former Twitter Employee Says Fake Russian Accounts Were Not Taken Seriously," 3 Nov. 2017
Mays also touted changes made or underway at the department since Bruce Rauner became governor and put in place a turnaround agenda, where state agencies were tasked with improving their operations.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Elgin unemployment rate at '10-year low,' officials say," 2 Nov. 2017
For her, that also means making lifestyle changes, like avoiding alcohol and trading social time for rest.

— amy schlinger, SELF, "Alpine Skier Lindsey Vonn's Olympic Training Regimen Isn't What You'd Expect," 2 Nov. 2017
That's because once a woman is pregnant, changes in her hormones typically prevent her body from continuing to ovulate, Dr. Greves explains.

— Health.com, "Yes, You Can Get Pregnant While Already Pregnant. We Asked a Doctor to Explain," 2 Nov. 2017

Origin and Etymology of change

see ¹change

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

change Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

fixation, stabilization

CHANGE Defined for English Language Learners

change

verb

Definition of change for English Language Learners

: to become different
: to make (someone or something) different
: to become something else

CHANGE Defined for Kids

change

verb \ ˈchānj \

Definition of change for Students

changed; changing

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.

Synonym Discussion of change

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.

change

noun

Definition of change for Students

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.

Learn More about change

See words that rhyme with change Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for change Spanish Central: Translation of change Nglish: Translation of change for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of change for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about change

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change

Definition of change

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Recent Examples of change from the Web

Origin and Etymology of change

change Synonyms

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CHANGE Defined for English Language Learners

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Definition of change for English Language Learners

CHANGE Defined for Kids

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