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

Stepping back: Inside the M’s decision to change direction after an 89-win season Quiz | Who are these guys? — Matt Calkins, The Seattle Times, "If you like spring training, you’re in luck. The Mariners’ season will be six months of it.," 27 Mar. 2019 Trying to change how stories are told in Hollywood keeps Oliver’s head buzzing. — Jazmine Hughes, Marie Claire, "With Her First Wives Club Reboot, Tracy Oliver Is Running the Show," 26 Mar. 2019 Offered to middle-schoolers, Women@NASA is looking to change the world through STEM. — Shannon Willoby, Redbook, "Why Girls Need More Mentors in STEM," 8 Mar. 2019 The story of how Epstein got such a light sentence — and who was involved — is a master class in the power dynamics that have been exposed by the #MeToo movement but have yet to truly change. — Jane Coaston, Vox, "Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who is friends with Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, explained," 22 Feb. 2019 The Stranger Things kids are growing up, and with that comes changing personalities and dynamics. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "7 Stranger Things Season 3 Fan Theories That Will Turn Your Mind Upside Down," 22 Mar. 2019 Your responses on everything from learning how to advocate for yourself in the face of adversity to destigmatizing mental illness, showed us how young people can and will change the world. — Shao Xinning, Seventeen, "This Teen Created Her Own Pen Pal Service in Order to Connect Girls Across China," 18 Mar. 2019 And despite changing the rules to allow for more severe penalties and fines for flagrant helmet-to-helmet hits, the NFL has not succeeded so far in preventing concussions. — Brian Resnick, Vox, "What a lifetime of playing football can do to the human brain," 4 Feb. 2019 At a hearing in Tacoma on Dec. 12, U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton sided with the plaintiffs, saying the city’s permit system had to be changed and granting the three people access to the encampment. — The (aberdeen) Daily World, The Seattle Times, "Federal judge grants settlement for homeless advocates in lawsuit against Aberdeen," 20 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

For fans of the book series, there are already a lot of changes that have been made in the show's first three episodes. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "4 Big Differences Between "Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists" Books Versus the TV Show," 4 Apr. 2019 But recent changes have fundamentally weakened the Reef's ability to protect itself and grow. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Climate Change Has Fundamentally Weakened The Great Barrier Reef," 4 Apr. 2019 The Mexico Beach City Council imposed a three-month moratorium on building permits to settle on code changes. — Arian Campo-flores, WSJ, "Flattened by Hurricane Michael, Florida Town Tries to Stave Off Big Development," 3 Apr. 2019 There were a lot of changes when Last Man Standing returned for its seventh season. — Megan Stein, Country Living, "'Last Man Standing' Star Kaitlyn Dever Was Just Cast in a Major Movie," 15 Mar. 2019 Several of our friends made New Year’s resolutions for fitness, started some kind of diet and decided to try to make some changes in the new year! — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "See What 'Counting On' Star Anna Duggar Looks Like After Doing a 50-Mile Walking Challenge," 19 Mar. 2019 But the youngest Baxter, Eve, also made a big change. — Megan Stein, Country Living, "'Last Man Standing' Star Kaitlyn Dever Was Just Cast in a Major Movie," 15 Mar. 2019 Starting with the 2020 Games in Tokyo, the IOC made major changes to the format and framework of the Olympics to allow for the inclusion of more sports. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, "These Are the New Sports We May See at the 2024 Summer Olympics," 27 Feb. 2019 The royal Fab Four has taken this mission to heart not just through resources and funding, but also by simply discussing their own struggles—a seemingly small thing that can make big cultural changes. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "The Royal Family's Most Emotional, Revealing Quotes About Their Mental Health," 27 Feb. 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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Dictionary Entries near change

Statistics for change

Last Updated

8 Apr 2019

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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

(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.