alteration

[awl-tuh-rey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or process of altering; the state of being altered.

   Alteration will improve the dress.

2. a change; modification or adjustment.

   There has been an alteration in our plans.

alteration

/ ˌɔːltəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. an adjustment, change, or modification

2. the act of altering or state of being altered

Other Word Forms

• prealteration noun
• proalteration adjective
• realteration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of alteration¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English alteracioun, from Medieval Latin alterātiōn-, stem of alterātiō; equivalent to alter + -ation

Example Sentences

To evaluate a dog’s alterations, said Packer, consider how much it deviates from the original archetype: the wolf.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"The extent of the early alterations induced by hypertension was quite surprising," Dr. Pacholko said.

Read more on Science Daily

She cites an alteration in the “tone of their correspondence,” pointing to “a declaration, a recognition, or more” that “changes everything.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

UFC had argued that the alteration of the water carried health risks.

Read more on Barron's

However, there was another curious alteration at which no one could cease marveling.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• adjustment 
• amendment 
• conversion 
• diversification 
• modification 
• mutation 
• revision 
• transformation 
• variance 
• variation