change

[ cheynj ]

verb (used with object)

, changed, chang·ing.

1. 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.

   Synonyms: modify, amend, mutate, vary, transmute, transform

2. to transform or convert (usually followed by into ):

   The witch changed the prince into a toad.

3. 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.

   Synonyms: swap, replace

4. to give and take reciprocally; interchange:

   to change places with someone.

   Synonyms: trade

5. to transfer from one (conveyance) to another:

   You'll have to change planes in Chicago.

6. to give or get an equivalent amount of money in lower denominations in exchange for:

   to change a five-dollar bill.

7. to give or get foreign money in exchange for:

   to change dollars into euros.

   Synonyms: convert

8. to remove and replace the covering or coverings of:

   to change a bed.

9. 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)

, changed, chang·ing.

1. to become different:

   Overnight the nation's mood changed.

2. to become altered or modified:

   Colors change if they are exposed to the sun.

   Synonyms: alternate, mutate, vary

   Antonyms: remain

3. to become transformed or converted (usually followed by into ):

   The toad changed back into a prince.

4. to pass gradually into (usually followed by to or into ):

   Summer changed to autumn.

5. to switch or to make an exchange:

   If you want to sit next to the window, I'll change with you.

6. to transfer between trains or other conveyances:

   We can take the local and change to an express at the next stop.

7. to remove one's clothes and put on different clothes:

   She changed into jeans.

8. (of the moon) to pass from one phase to another.
9. (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

1. 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

2. a transformation or modification; alteration:

   They noticed the change in his facial expression.

3. a variation or deviation:

   a change in the daily routine.

4. the substitution of one thing for another:

   We finally made the change to an oil-burning furnace.

   Synonyms: exchange

5. variety or novelty:

   Let's try a new restaurant for a change.

6. the passing from one place, state, form, or phase to another:

   a change of seasons;

   social change.

7. Jazz. harmonic progression from one tonality to another; modulation.
8. the supplanting of one thing by another:

   We need a total change of leadership.

   Synonyms: replacement

9. anything that is or may be substituted for another.

   Synonyms: replacement

10. a fresh set of clothing.
11. money given in exchange for an equivalent of higher denomination.
12. a balance of money that is returned when the sum tendered in payment is larger than the sum due.
13. coins of low denomination.
14. any of the various sequences in which a peal of bells may be rung.
15. Also 'change. British. exchange ( def 10 ).
16. Obsolete. changefulness; caprice.

verb phrase

1. 1. to take turns with another, as at doing a task.
   2. to alternate between two tasks or between a task and a rest break.

change

/ tʃeɪndʒ /

verb

1. to make or become different; alter
2. tr to replace with or exchange for another

   to change one's name

3. sometimes foll byto or into to transform or convert or be transformed or converted
4. to give and receive (something) in return; interchange

   to change places with someone

5. tr to give or receive (money) in exchange for the equivalent sum in a smaller denomination or different currency
6. tr to remove or replace the coverings of

   to change a baby

7. whenintr, may be foll by into or out of to put on other clothes
8. intr (of the moon) to pass from one phase to the following one
9. to operate (the gear lever of a motor vehicle) in order to alter the gear ratio

   to change gear

10. to alight from (one bus, train, etc) and board another
11. change face
    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
12. change feet informal.
    to put on different shoes, boots, etc
13. change front
    1. military to redeploy (a force in the field) so that its main weight of weapons points in another direction
    2. to alter one's attitude, opinion, etc
14. change hands
    to pass from one owner to another
15. change one's mind
    to alter one's decision or opinion
16. change one's tune
    to alter one's attitude or tone of speech

noun

1. the act or fact of changing or being changed
2. a variation, deviation, or modification
3. the substitution of one thing for another; exchange
4. anything that is or may be substituted for something else
5. variety or novelty (esp in the phrase for a change )

   I want to go to France for a change

6. a different or fresh set, esp of clothes
7. money given or received in return for its equivalent in a larger denomination or in a different currency
8. the balance of money given or received when the amount tendered is larger than the amount due
9. coins of a small denomination regarded collectively
10. archaic.
    often capital a place where merchants meet to transact business; an exchange
11. the act of passing from one state or phase to another
12. the transition from one phase of the moon to the next
13. the order in which a peal of bells may be rung
14. sport short for changeover
15. slang.
    desirable or useful information
16. obsolete.
    fickleness or caprice
17. change of heart
    a profound change of outlook, opinion, etc
18. get no change out of someone slang.
    not to be successful in attempts to exploit or extract information from someone
19. ring the changes
    to vary the manner or performance of an action that is often repeated

Derived Forms

• ˈchangelessness, noun
• ˈchanger, noun
• ˈchangeless, adjective
• ˈchangelessly, adverb

Other Words From

• chang·ed·ness [cheyn, -jid-nis, cheynjd, -], noun
• un·changed adjective
• un·changing adjective
• un·changing·ly adverb
• un·changing·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of change¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of change¹

C13: from Old French changier, from Latin cambīre to exchange, barter

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. change front, Military. to shift a military force in another direction.
2. change one's mind, to change one's opinions or intentions.
3. ring the changes,
   1. to perform all permutations possible in ringing a set of tuned bells, as in a bell tower of a church.
   2. to vary the manner of performing an action or of discussing a subject; repeat with variations.
4. change hands. hand ( def 48 ).

More idioms and phrases containing change

• for a change
• leopard cannot change its spots
• piece of change
• ring the changes

Example Sentences

Ma believes that these "epigenetic" changes are working hand-in-hand with the alternative transcription initiation sites in gene expression.

From Science Daily

But these changes present a huge challenge in a sugar supply chain spanning more than 100 countries and the millions of people that depend on sugar's income.

From Salon

From a personal finance perspective, consider being mindful of what's happening with tariffs and be prepared to change consumption if prices start to rise, without getting too ahead of yourself in terms of anticipatory overspending.

From Salon

"It was going to be more about honouring her legacy and her memory, saying that her final work was completed and that began to change my mind on things," he added.

From BBC

Though there are flourishes of new material, disciples of composer Stephen Schwartz’s songs can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the changes are minor but welcome.

From Salon

Related Words

• adjustment
• development
• difference
• modification
• revision
• shift
• switch
• variation

When To Use

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.