alter

[ awl-ter ]

/ ˈɔl tər /

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verb (used with object)

to make different in some particular, as size, style, course, or the like; modify: to alter a coat; to alter a will; to alter course.

to castrate or spay.

verb (used without object)

to change; become different or modified.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of alter

1350–1400; Middle English <Old French alterer<Late Latin alterāre to change, worsen, derivative of Latin alter other

synonym study for alter

1. See adjust,

OTHER WORDS FROM alter

al·ter·er, nounhalf-altered, adjectivepre·al·ter, verb (used with object)re·al·ter, verb

un·al·ter·ing, adjectivewell-altered, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH alter

altar, alter

Words nearby alter

altazimuth mounting, alt.country, Altdorf, Altdorfer, Alte Pinakothek, alter, alterable, alterant, alteration, alterative, altercate

Other definitions for alter (2 of 3)

Alter

[ awl-ter ]

/ ˈɔl tər /

noun

David, 1807–81, U.S. physicist.

Other definitions for alter (3 of 3)

alter.

abbreviation

alteration.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

WHEN TO USE

What is another way to say alter?

To alter something is to make it different in some particular way, such as in size, style, or course. How does alter compare to change? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

How to use alter in a sentence

The Covid-19 effect that has altered our day-to-day habits in 2020 may have its greatest impact on the upcoming holiday shopping season.
Insights to reimagine your holiday 2020 planning|Sponsored Content: Microsoft Advertising|September 25, 2020|Search Engine Land
Other studies have shown that the ducks can alter their typical migratory journeys in responses to changes in the environment.
A climate anomaly may have worsened the 1918 pandemic and WWI|Kate Baggaley|September 25, 2020|Popular-Science
The pandemic has significantly altered the economy and the job market, including for workers just starting their careers.
New poll finds voters under 30 are motivated — and the economy looms larger than ever for them|Eugene Scott|September 23, 2020|Washington Post
Instead of trying to alter those microbiomes, which can be difficult, pregnant women could receive the needed metabolites directly.
A mother mouse’s gut microbes help wire her pup’s brain|Carolyn Wilke|September 23, 2020|Science News

Despite its non-conventional look, Mo-DBRS opens the door to analyzing brain signals in humans in environments close to the real world, while also having the ability to alter those brain signals wirelessly with a few taps on a tablet.
Want to Decode the Human Brain? There’s a New System for That, and It’s Pretty Wild|Shelly Fan|September 22, 2020|Singularity Hub
They dye their hair and alter their clothes, but not enough to attract attention from authorities.
North Korea’s Secret Movie Bootleggers: How Western Films Make It Into the Hermit Kingdom|Lizzie Crocker|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He even allegedly had a nickname for his violent, aggressive alter ego: Rick.
Creed Singer Scott Stapp’s Fall From Grace: From 40 Million Albums Sold to Living in a Holiday Inn|Marlow Stern|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some of the things Lawrence had to alter from the book involved President Coin, played by Julianne Moore.
‘Mockingjay’s’ Mastermind: Francis Lawrence on the Book vs. Movie, ISIS Parallels, and More|Marlow Stern|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Both Trudeau and Alter, levelheaded as they are, are extremely meticulous about their production.
Inside the Political Fun House: How ‘Alpha House’ Became Amazon’s First Big Hit|Kevin Fallon|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Democrats say, ‘The only Republicans I like are the ones I see on Alpha House,’” Alter says.
Inside the Political Fun House: How ‘Alpha House’ Became Amazon’s First Big Hit|Kevin Fallon|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sinus duo sunt maiores, vastque; alter is, qui S. Laurentij gurges; alter, qui Francius appellatur.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
The Federal Reserve Board reserves the right to add to, alter, or amend these regulations.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
Cert alter nostrm magnam itineris partem ger, debilitatsque iacuit.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Nam neque id diu fuit, & semper altero decumbente, alter stetit.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Ergo statim ex Aquitania euocatus Sacerdos vnus, alter ex ipsa Francia desumptus.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various

British Dictionary definitions for alter

alter

/ (ˈɔːltə) /

verb

to make or become different in some respect; change

(tr) informal, mainly US a euphemistic word for castrate, spay

Derived forms of alter

alterable, adjectivealterably, adverbalterability, noun

Word Origin for alter

C14: from Old French alterer, from Medieval Latin alterāre to change, from Latin alter other

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

alter

Origin of alter

synonym study for alter

OTHER WORDS FROM alter

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH alter

Words nearby alter

Other definitions for alter (2 of 3)

Other definitions for alter (3 of 3)

WHEN TO USE

What is another way to say alter?

Words related to alter

How to use alter in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for alter

Derived forms of alter

Word Origin for alter