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alter

[ awl-ter ]
/ ˈɔl tər /
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See synonyms for alter on Thesaurus.com
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.
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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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH alter

altar, alter

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

Words related to alter

adjust, amend, change, develop, modify, reshape, revamp, revise, shift, transform, vary, fix, adapt, convert, cook, diversify, doctor, metamorphose, mutate, recast

How to use alter in a sentence

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
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