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

That changed as state officials dithered last year over evacuating residents below Oroville Dam in Butte County, The Associated Press reported after obtaining notes from a dramatic meeting of top authorities. — Paul Elias, The Seattle Times, "Back-to-back crises boost California sheriff’s profile," 28 Nov. 2018 That can change Friday with a victory over Utah in the Pac-12 championship game. — Rick Steves' Europe, seattletimes.com, "Family of missing native woman demands answers in Wapato," 28 Nov. 2018 Many organizations change lives by forgoing a donation in favor of a loan. — Linda Davis Taylor, SELF, "Beyond Giving Tuesday: How to Make a Giving Plan and Why You Need One," 26 Nov. 2018 Of course these early-stage plans could change during the years of planning and development. — Anatoly Zak, Popular Mechanics, "NASA’s Return to the Moon Could Include a Reusable Lunar Lander," 23 Oct. 2018 Yet, as legalization continues and public opinion toward marijuana becomes more favorable, its meaning is changing again. — Angela Chen, The Verge, "Weed and luxury in Las Vegas," 15 Nov. 2018 Whether that’s daylight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows, ambient interior lighting, or a mix of both, light can change the entire feel of a home. — Madeleine Bokan, House Beautiful, "This House Has The Coolest Lighting You’ve Ever Seen," 19 Oct. 2018 So tl;dr: Meghan isn't changing one thing about her first royal tour to accommodate her pregnancy. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "How Meghan Markle's Pregnancy Will Affect Her Australia Royal Tour, According to Experts," 15 Oct. 2018 As the sun disappeared over 29th Street, the mood of the evening would change. — Jacques Kelly, baltimoresun.com, "Remembering Baltimore's magical glow from gaslights on a summer night," 14 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

But so far, there has been little sign of concrete policy changes. — Timothy B. Lee, Ars Technica, "Newly elected Republican senator could be Google’s fiercest critic," 24 Nov. 2018 Chief operating officer Rosalind Brewer alluded to some of the organizational changes after the company reported improved fourth-quarter sales growth on Nov. 1. — Benjamin Romano, The Seattle Times, "Starbucks laying off 350 people, mostly at Seattle headquarters," 13 Nov. 2018 Upper stomach pain or feelings of fullness paired with bloating may be indicative of dyspepsia, for example, whereas lower abdomen cramping and a change in bowel habits could point to IBS. — Colleen Stinchcombe, Woman's Day, "Why Am I Always Bloated?," 29 Oct. 2018 Since October of last year, Jupiter has been moving through Scorpio, triggering radical changes in your relationships. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "What November's Taurus Horoscope Means for You," 28 Oct. 2018 While on the 16-day royal tour of Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand with Prince Harry, the Duchess of Sussex has made a staggering number of outfit changes so far. — Lauren Alexis Fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle Channeled Some Other Very Chic Royals With Her Blue Shirtdress," 26 Oct. 2018 Congratulations go out to Harry and Meghan for all of the big, exciting changes in their lives. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Queen Elizabeth Gave Prince Harry a New Title Now He and Meghan Markle Are Expecting Their First Child," 15 Oct. 2018 While the space looks entirely different, the big changes were removing the wood paneling on the walls and taking up the carpet. — Danielle Tullo, House Beautiful, "This Bungalow Renovation Will Make You Want a Navy Blue Kitchen," 12 Oct. 2018 Erzurum’s elimination from 2026 consideration was a hopeful sign that some of these changes are starting to pay off, says Perelman. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "Olympics try more city-friendly bid process: Will it work?," 8 Oct. 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

2 Dec 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.