amend

[ uh-mend ]

/ əˈmɛnd /

verb (used with object)

to alter, modify, rephrase, or add to or subtract from (a motion, bill, constitution, etc.) by formal procedure: Congress may amend the proposed tax bill.

to change for the better; improve: to amend one's ways.

to remove or correct faults in; rectify.

verb (used without object)

to grow or become better by reforming oneself: He amends day by day.

Nearby words

Origin of amend

1175–1225; Middle English amenden < Old French amender < Latin ēmendāre “to correct,” equivalent to ē- e-¹ + mend(a) “blemish” + -āre infinitive suffix

Related forms

a·mend·a·ble, adjectivea·mend·er, nounnon·a·mend·a·ble, adjectivere·a·mend, verb

un·a·mend·a·ble, adjectiveun·a·mend·ed, adjectiveun·a·mend·ing, adjectivewell-a·mend·ed, adjective

Synonym study

3. Amend, emend both mean to improve by correcting or by freeing from error. Amend is the general term, used of any such correction in detail: to amend spelling, punctuation, grammar. Emend usually applies to the correction of a text in the process of editing or preparing for publication; it implies improvement in the sense of greater accuracy: He emended the text of the play by restoring the original reading.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for amending

So what the anti-Citizens United movement really needs to do is something even harder than amending the Constitution.
Undo Citizens United? We’d Only Scratch the Surface|Jedediah Purdy|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Here's one amending a surprising quote from the editor of The New Yorker.
Best New York Times Corrections Ever: 'The Shining,' Twilight Sparkle & More|Josh Dzieza|February 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Hatch is found guilty of violating his probation by not amending his tax returns or paying his taxes.
Richard Hatch Can't Win|Andy Dehnart|May 19, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The problem with both these solutions is that they depend on amending the Constitution.
Justice Stevens Should Quit Now|Adam Winkler|April 5, 2010|DAILY BEAST

Amending all the laws on the books that govern contracts would take too long.
Overregulated America|Philip K. Howard|February 17, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Indeed, this was the cause of most of the amending legislation that followed.
Irish History and the Irish Question|Goldwin Smith
Accordingly he suggests, in case any such be discovered, the propriety of amending the Constitution.
The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Two|Abraham Lincoln
There are other proposals before Congress for amending the transportation acts.
State of the Union Addresses of Calvin Coolidge|Calvin Coolidge
Announcement of Ministerial intention with respect to Amending Bill raised clamour worthy of our best traditions.
Punch, or the London Charivari, May 27, 1914|Various
During the suspensory period Government would introduce an Amending Bill.
John Redmond's Last Years|Stephen Gwynn

British Dictionary definitions for amending

amend

/ (əˈmɛnd) /

verb (tr)

to improve; change for the better

to remove faults from; correct

to alter or revise (legislation, a constitution, etc) by formal procedure

Derived Formsamendable, adjectiveamender, noun

Word Origin for amend

C13: from Old French amender, from Latin ēmendāre to emend

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

Word Origin and History for amending

amend

early 13c., "to free from faults, rectify," from Old French amender (12c.), from Latin emendare "to correct, free from fault," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + menda "fault, blemish," from PIE *mend- "physical defect, fault" (cf. Sanskrit minda "physical blemish," Old Irish mennar "stain, blemish," Welsh mann "sign, mark").

Supplanted in senses of "repair, cure" by its shortened offspring mend (v.). Meaning "to add to legislation" (ostensibly to correct or improve it) is recorded from 1777. Related: Amended; amending.