change

1 of 2

verb

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
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
changer noun

change

2 of 2

noun

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
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 sense 1
cost a large chunk of change
3
: a fresh set of clothes
4
British : exchange sense 5a
5
6
: an order in which a set of bells is struck in change ringing
Phrases
change hands
: to pass from the possession of one owner to that of another
money changes hands many times
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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
For Hendra, May’s character serves as an allegory reflecting the challenges faced by the indigenous people around the world where their homeland is changing due to the pressures of the modern world, the filmmaker said. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024 Faria said immigration, mainly from Spanish-speaking countries — Kings County’s Latino population jumped from 43% in 2000 to 57% today — is changing the country. Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Since 2015, 900 not-for-profit nursing homes and senior living communities nationwide have changed hands, with more than half of them acquired by for-profit operators. Harris Meyer, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024 This tracks with the AASM survey, which found that 77% of sleep tracker users said the device was helpful, and 68% changed their behavior after using it. Kristen Fischer, Health, 12 Mar. 2024 The timeless silhouette hasn’t changed much over the years and has always been considered a stylish yet non-divisive staple to top off any outfit. Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2024 Poland’s stance on Germany may not change dramatically, either. Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2024 But the state's legislative maps have changed since then, and those new boundaries may complicate the final counting of signatures. Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024 Similarly, transgender and nonbinary youth who were able to change their legal documents attempted suicide fewer times than those who were not legally able to. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024
Noun
DeMaio has promised not so much to be the representative of the district as a change agent who will shake up the California Republican Party, as well as continue his criticism of the Democratic legislative majorities and Gov. Gavin Newsom. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024 Driving on the highway, the L9 seemed much better at trying to maximize its speed than with Nio, and far less reluctant to make lane changes. Mark Andrews, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2024 The big question is whether these changes can bring calm to Haiti, and put a stop to the terrible violence tearing apart Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince. Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 For office and technical workers, 27% found a similar job with a different employer; 27% made a career change; and 27% left for some other employee reason. Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024 Superintendent Jagodzinski, however, expressed concerns about what a policy change could mean for athletics funding. The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024 Among this year’s rule changes, the Daytime Emmys will no longer include a category devoted to younger performers in a daytime drama. Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024 Broader systemic changes are needed to establish a cohesive, worldwide route toward a just and sustainable future. Carmen Ene, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The model has remained essentially the same ever since, save for minor tweaks like traction control, some bodywork nips and tucks and subtle suspension changes. Peter Jackson, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'change.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

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

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of change was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near change

Cite this Entry

“Change.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/change. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

change

1 of 2 verb
changed; changing
1
: to make or become different : alter
2
: to give a different position, course, or direction to
3
: to replace with another : switch, exchange
change places
4
: to give or receive an equal amount of money in usually smaller units of value or in a foreign currency
change a $10 bill
5
a
: to put fresh clothes or covering on
change a bed
b
: to put on different clothes
changer noun

change

2 of 2 noun
1
: the act, process, or result of changing
a change of seasons
a change for the better
2
: a fresh set of clothes
3
a
: money in small units of value received in exchange for an equal amount in larger units
b
: money returned when a payment is more than the amount due
c
: money in coins
d
: money sense 1a
cost a large chunk of change

More from Merriam-Webster on change

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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