noun
-
an adjustment, change, or modification
-
the act of altering or state of being altered
Other Word Forms
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
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!
Seedfolks
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!
Unit 2: Pivotal Words and Phrases
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.
Eve Higgins replaces Nancy McGillivray, who is not involved in the matchday squad, at centre in the sole alteration from the 26-7 defeat against France in Clermont two weeks ago.
From BBC • May 7, 2026
The company is paying for overtime for its more than 3,000 alteration specialists as needed to meet the demand.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026
One major alteration is how the death of Scarpetta’s father impacts her future career.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026
Their analysis indicates that much of the iron was highly "weathered," meaning it had undergone extensive chemical alteration over time.
From Science Daily • Feb. 4, 2026
The boy hated Toby from the start, for reasons not unlike those that caused you to hate me when we first met in the alteration room.
From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman
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.
