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

Paid health insurance costs for teachers will also change with the district paying 80% of the overall cost, up from 75% previously. — Marissa Plescia, chicagotribune.com, "New 5-year contracts in District 65 include pay increases for teachers, assistants," 14 June 2019 Lamar Jackson has progressed, but the overall conversation about him won’t change anytime soon. — Childs Walker, baltimoresun.com, "Five Things We Learned from the Ravens’ OTAs and minicamp," 14 June 2019 The Warriors knows the narrative can, and will change tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. — Chris Ballard, SI.com, "'We All Share In This': Steve Kerr Reflects on the Decision to Play Kevin Durant," 13 June 2019 The name of the venerable Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum won’t change, after all. — Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, "Hotline newsletter: New transfer policy, Aaron Rodgers’ big gift, odds for the football title, revised top-25 and loads more," 13 June 2019 That finding could help scientists forecast how the storm belt will change in a warmer climate, Maloney says. — Paul Voosen, Science | AAAS, "NASA overcomes military's GPS tweaks to peer inside hurricanes," 12 June 2019 Durant and free agency This summer will change the NBA landscape for at least the next few seasons. — Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, "How Kevin Durant's injury alters the NBA landscape — this summer and beyond," 11 June 2019 There’s no word on whether the baby’s name will change if the baby isn’t born on this specific date. — Jasmine Grant, Essence, "Ex-'Basketball Wives' Star Keonna Green and Nick Young Expecting Their Third Child," 11 June 2019 Sometimes stability comes from the knowledge that all will change. — BostonGlobe.com, "Horoscope," 11 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The stations will provide real-time data from the death zone as well as the first, direct observations of the jet stream, allowing researchers to better understand how climate change is impacting the Himalayan mountains. — Fox News, "New ‘window into the planet’ installed in Mount Everest’s ‘death zone’," 15 June 2019 Climate change is a priority for France, which is pushing to make all EU countries set a goal of being carbon neutral by 2050. — Washington Post, "Southern EU leaders seek united policy front at meeting," 14 June 2019 At the European elections 48% of voters said climate change was their top concern. — The Economist, "German politicians are scrambling to respond to the Green Party’s surge," 14 June 2019 Four years ago, when the videogame industry gathered in Los Angeles for the Electronic Entertainment Expo of 2015, many felt as if change was in the air. — Carolyn Petit, WIRED, "Female Representation in Videogames Isn't Getting Any Better," 14 June 2019 Of course, the change is obvious when looking at Star Trek's latest show, Discovery, where gratuitous violence (and terrible writing) is commonplace. — Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, "An R-Rating Is the Last Thing Star Trek Needs Right Now," 12 June 2019 For the past year, changes have been in the roof and the lobby, not just on stage. — Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, "One year after the fire, Kentucky Center is still picking up the pieces," 12 June 2019 The last time there was a lead change in a Game 7 was in 1987, when the Edmonton Oilers beat the Philadelphia Flyers. — Michelle R. Martinelli, For The Win, "5 wild stats from the St. Louis Blues' incredible Stanley Cup run," 12 June 2019 Immediately after, several ex-employees told Quartz, the Patras and Menon called a staff meeting where Varsha and Menon promised that structural changes were imminent. — Aria Thaker, Quartz at Work, "How Indian media company Homegrown imploded in the wake of #MeToo," 11 June 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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Last Updated

17 Jun 2019

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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.