modify

verb

mod·​i·​fy ˈmä-də-ˌfī 

modified; modifying

transitive verb

1

: to make less extreme : moderate

traffic rules were modified to let him pass

—Van Wyck Brooks

2

a

: to limit or restrict the meaning of especially in a grammatical construction

In the phrase "the red hat," the adjective "red" modifies the noun "hat."

b

: to change (a vowel) by umlaut

3

a

: to make minor changes in

had to modify his plan

b

: to make basic or fundamental changes in often to give a new orientation to or to serve a new end

the wing of a bird is an arm modified for flying

intransitive verb

: to undergo change

modifiability

ˌmä-də-ˌfī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

modifiable

ˈmä-də-ˌfī-ə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• qualify

Choose the Right Synonym for modify

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 modify in a Sentence

We can help you modify an existing home or build a new one.

He modified the recipe by using oil instead of butter.

She has modified her views on the matter.

The design was modified to add another window.

We played a modified version of our favorite game.

Adjectives usually modify nouns, and adverbs usually modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.

In the phrase “a red hat,” the adjective “red” modifies the noun “hat.”

Recent Examples on the Web

The process eliminated the date stamps that recorded when the originals were created and last modified. —Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024

Parton had the bus modified to include a full-size refrigerator, electric doors, and a wig cabinet. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2024

Piaget accomplished this by modifying their ultra-thin caliber 970 platform, and the resulting manually wound 970P-UC is as much as 90 percent redesigned. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2024

Sting’s songs are durable and flexible, enabling him to modify their keys, time signatures and arrangements in a manner that simultaneously saluted and extended them. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2024

These music modifications are already popular with teens and young adults on TikTok, with content analysis firm Pex finding that 38 percent of songs on the platform had their speeds or pitches modified in 2023, compared to 25 percent the year prior. —Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 12 Apr. 2024

This core-centric move can be modified by placing your head on the ground or bringing one leg back into your chest before extending the other. —Christa Sgobba, SELF, 9 Apr. 2024

Most games are easy for nearly anyone to play or can be modified if necessary so that little ones can get in on all the action. —Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 8 Apr. 2024

But both drew praise from Tim Keane, then-director of the city’s Planning and Development Services Department, after developers modified their original plans to address the concerns. —Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English modifien, from Anglo-French modifier, from Latin modificare to measure, moderate, from modus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing modify

• pre-modify

Kids Definition

modify

verb

mod·​i·​fy ˈmäd-ə-ˌfī 

modified; modifying

1

: to make changes in : alter

modify a plan

2

: to lower or reduce in amount or degree : moderate

3

: to limit in meaning : qualify

in the phrase "green gloves," "green" modifies "gloves"

modifiable

-ˌfī-ə-bəl 

adjective

Medical Definition

modify

transitive verb

mod·​i·​fy ˈmäd-ə-ˌfī 

modified; modifying

: to make a change in

modify behavior by the use of drugs

modifiability

ˌmäd-ə-ˌfī-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

plural modifiabilities

modifiable

-ˈfī-ə-bəl 

adjective