change
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone.
to change one's name;
to change one's opinion;
to change the course of history.
-
to transform or convert (usually followed byinto ).
The witch changed the prince into a toad.
-
to substitute another or others for; exchange for something else, usually of the same kind.
She changed her shoes when she got home from the office.
-
to give and take reciprocally; interchange.
to change places with someone.
- Synonyms:
- trade
-
to transfer from one (conveyance) to another.
You'll have to change planes in Chicago.
-
to give or get an equivalent amount of money in lower denominations in exchange for.
to change a five-dollar bill.
-
to give or get foreign money in exchange for.
to change dollars into euros.
- Synonyms:
- convert
-
to remove and replace the covering or coverings of.
to change a bed.
-
to remove a dirty diaper from (a baby) and replace it with a clean one.
new parents, learning to change a baby.
verb (used without object)
-
to become different.
Overnight the nation's mood changed.
-
to become altered or modified.
Colors change if they are exposed to the sun.
- Antonyms:
- remain
-
to become transformed or converted (usually followed byinto ).
The toad changed back into a prince.
-
to pass gradually into (usually followed by to orinto ).
Summer changed to autumn.
-
to switch or to make an exchange.
If you want to sit next to the window, I'll change with you.
-
to transfer between trains or other conveyances.
We can take the local and change to an express at the next stop.
-
to remove one's clothes and put on different clothes.
She changed into jeans.
-
(of the moon) to pass from one phase to another.
-
(of the voice) to become deeper in tone; come to have a lower register.
The boy's voice began to change when he was thirteen.
noun
-
the act or fact of changing; fact of being changed.
They are pleased by the change in their son's behavior.
- Synonyms:
- vicissitude, conversion, mutation, transmutation
- Antonyms:
- permanence
-
a transformation or modification; alteration.
They noticed the change in his facial expression.
-
a variation or deviation.
a change in the daily routine.
-
the substitution of one thing for another.
We finally made the change to an oil-burning furnace.
- Synonyms:
- exchange
-
variety or novelty.
Let's try a new restaurant for a change.
-
the passing from one place, state, form, or phase to another.
a change of seasons;
social change.
-
Jazz. harmonic progression from one tonality to another; modulation.
-
the supplanting of one thing by another.
We need a total change of leadership.
- Synonyms:
- replacement
-
anything that is or may be substituted for another.
- Synonyms:
- replacement
-
a fresh set of clothing.
-
money given in exchange for an equivalent of higher denomination.
-
a balance of money that is returned when the sum tendered in payment is larger than the sum due.
-
coins of low denomination.
-
any of the various sequences in which a peal of bells may be rung.
-
British. Also 'change exchange.
-
Obsolete. changefulness; caprice.
verb phrase
idioms
-
change one's mind, to change one's opinions or intentions.
-
change hands. hand.
-
ring the changes,
-
to perform all permutations possible in ringing a set of tuned bells, as in a bell tower of a church.
-
to vary the manner of performing an action or of discussing a subject; repeat with variations.
-
-
change front, to shift a military force in another direction.
verb
-
to make or become different; alter
-
(tr) to replace with or exchange for another
to change one's name
-
to transform or convert or be transformed or converted
-
to give and receive (something) in return; interchange
to change places with someone
-
(tr) to give or receive (money) in exchange for the equivalent sum in a smaller denomination or different currency
-
(tr) to remove or replace the coverings of
to change a baby
-
to put on other clothes
-
(intr) (of the moon) to pass from one phase to the following one
-
to operate (the gear lever of a motor vehicle) in order to alter the gear ratio
to change gear
-
to alight from (one bus, train, etc) and board another
-
to rotate the telescope of a surveying instrument through 180° horizontally and vertically, taking a second sighting of the same object in order to reduce error
-
informal to put on different shoes, boots, etc
-
-
military to redeploy (a force in the field) so that its main weight of weapons points in another direction
-
to alter one's attitude, opinion, etc
-
-
to pass from one owner to another
-
to alter one's decision or opinion
-
to alter one's attitude or tone of speech
noun
-
the act or fact of changing or being changed
-
a variation, deviation, or modification
-
the substitution of one thing for another; exchange
-
anything that is or may be substituted for something else
-
variety or novelty (esp in the phrase for a change )
I want to go to France for a change
-
a different or fresh set, esp of clothes
-
money given or received in return for its equivalent in a larger denomination or in a different currency
-
the balance of money given or received when the amount tendered is larger than the amount due
-
coins of a small denomination regarded collectively
-
archaic (often capital) a place where merchants meet to transact business; an exchange
-
the act of passing from one state or phase to another
-
the transition from one phase of the moon to the next
-
the order in which a peal of bells may be rung
-
sport short for changeover
-
slang desirable or useful information
-
obsolete fickleness or caprice
-
a profound change of outlook, opinion, etc
-
slang not to be successful in attempts to exploit or extract information from someone
-
to vary the manner or performance of an action that is often repeated
Usage
What is another way to say change? To change something is to make its form, nature, or content different from what it is currently or from what it would be if left alone. How is change different from alter? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
- changedness noun
- changeless adjective
- changelessly adverb
- changelessness noun
- changer noun
- unchanged adjective
- unchanging adjective
- unchangingly adverb
- unchangingness noun
Etymology
Origin of change
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English verb cha(u)ngen, from Anglo-French, Old French changer, from Late Latin cambiāre, Latin cambīre “to exchange, barter”; Middle English noun cha(u)nge, from Anglo-French, Old French, noun derivative of the verb; of Celtic origin
Explanation
Is it just not the same anymore? Then there must have been a change. The noun change can refer to any thing or state that is different from what it once was. Change is everywhere in life — and in English. The word has numerous senses, both as a noun and verb, and is a part of many common phrases, like "a change of heart." Change might describe a drastic transformation, as in Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, or it could also represent what’s jingling in your pocket.
Vocabulary lists containing change
"Growing Together" and "When I Grow Up"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Part 1 Vocabulary (Unit 1)
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Lesson 4
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“We see those prices change basically on a daily basis, as it’s changing in the world market,” said Million.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026
Bass and her challengers have all attempted to portray themselves as the candidate of change.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026
The idea that a warning should change the legal calculus of excessive force, now at the center of both of these cases, is callous and illogical.
From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026
"Across the country, beavers are starting to return to the wild too, but that kind of change takes time and careful planning," she said.
From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026
The tortoise’s sleepy gaze was fixed ahead, and while there was no change in his dull expression, Clare did not think he imagined that the shell-dweller grew irritated.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
