modify

[ mod-uh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, mod·i·fied, mod·i·fy·ing.

1. to change somewhat the form or qualities of; alter partially; amend:

   to modify a contract.

   Synonyms: reform, shape, adjust, vary

2. Grammar. (of a word, phrase, or clause) to stand in a syntactically subordinate relation to (another word, phrase, or clause), usually with descriptive, limiting, or particularizing meaning; be a modifier. In a good man, good modifies man.
3. to be the modifier or attribute of.
4. to change (a vowel) by umlaut.
5. to reduce or lessen in degree or extent; moderate; soften:

   to modify one's demands.

verb (used without object)

, mod·i·fied, mod·i·fy·ing.

1. to be or become modified.

modify

/ ˈmɒdɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to change the structure, character, intent, etc, of
2. to make less extreme or uncompromising

   to modify a demand

3. grammar (of a word or group of words) to bear the relation of modifier to (another word or group of words)
4. linguistics to change (a vowel) by umlaut
5. intr to be or become modified

Derived Forms

• ˌmodiˌfiaˈbility, noun
• ˈmodiˌfiable, adjective

Other Words From

• modi·fia·ble adjective
• modi·fia·bili·ty modi·fia·ble·ness noun
• non·modi·fying adjective
• over·modi·fy verb overmodified overmodifying
• pre·modi·fy verb (used with object) premodified premodifying
• re·modi·fy verb remodified remodifying
• un·modi·fia·ble adjective
• un·modi·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of modify¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English modifien, from Middle French modifier, from Latin modificāre “to impose a rule or pattern, regulate, restrain”; equivalent to mode ¹ + -ify

Word History and Origins

Origin of modify¹

C14: from Old French modifier, from Latin modificāre to limit, control, from modus measure + facere to make

Synonym Study

Modify, qualify, temper suggest altering an original statement, condition, or the like, so as to avoid anything excessive or extreme. To modify is to alter in one or more particulars, generally in the direction of leniency or moderation: to modify demands, rates. To qualify is to restrict or limit by exceptions or conditions: to qualify one's praise, hopes. To temper is to alter the quality of something, generally so as to diminish its force or harshness: to temper one's criticism with humor.

Example Sentences

Labour’s Bell Ribeiro-Addy said she had been told of human remains frequently auctioned “disguised as modified items or replicas”.

From BBC

It follows the decision by the GAA to slightly modify the stadium design after plans to host some games of the Euro 2028 football tournament in the stadium were dropped.

From BBC

Once again, the modified protein was stable enough to remain intact as a vaccine.

From Science Daily

Players create poker hands to score points, but the magic comes from its 150 joker cards which modify the rules and multiply scores in different ways.

From BBC

These early Aboriginal communities used fire to penetrate and modify dense, wet forest for their own use -- as indicated by a sudden increase in charcoal accumulated in ancient mud 41,600 years ago.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• adapt
• adjust
• correct
• customize
• repair
• reshape
• revise
• rework
• tweak
• vary