noun
-
an adjustment, change, or modification
-
the act of altering or state of being altered
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of alteration
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English alteracioun, from Medieval Latin alterātiōn-, stem of alterātiō; equivalent to alter + -ation
Explanation
The pants are too long, the jacket too tight and the vest is too short. Looks like your suit is in need of some serious alteration, or adjustment. No one knows alterations like tailors. All they do is adjust, modify and otherwise alter people's ill fitting clothes. But hemlines aren't the only things that can undergo alteration. Savvy scientists may someday make alterations to genetic sequencing — just like Dr. Jekyll underwent some serious alterations to become Mr. Hyde.
Vocabulary lists containing alteration
Vocabulary from The Articles of Confederation
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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.
See Examples For:
Is Julia’s changing perception a result of some fundamental alteration in her husband?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Initially declared a success with "no visible alteration" to the 70-metre-long tapestry following its arrival, France last week said two broken threads were spotted during a full condition check.
From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026
Eukaryotic microfossils have endured billions of years of geological alteration and degradation, making already tiny remains even harder to detect.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 17, 2026
Alfonsi refused, arguing — correctly, as it turned out — that administration officials refused to appear on air and that any alteration would reflect poorly on the network.
From Salon ● Jun. 1, 2026
Even where the primitive notation used was crude or unclear, the same chants continued to be sung without significant alteration into the period when reliable notation did exist.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
This included growth in residential building in July, driven by a rise in home alterations and improvements as well as new construction of most dwelling types.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
Applications consider whether any alterations would preserve or enhance the area's character.
From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026
The physical changes in the muscles were accompanied by alterations in proteins and enzymes involved in the metabolic processes that produce energy for muscle activity.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 22, 2026
Together with other alterations, the project would double the size of an existing clubhouse and more than triple its seating capacity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026
I attempted to convey to her what a genial employer Mr Farraday is; and I described the changes to the house itself, the alterations and the dust- sheetings, as well as the present staffing arrangements.
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
