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View synonyms for change

change

[ cheynj ]

verb (used with object)

, changed, chang·ing.
  1. to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone:

    to change one's name;

    to change one's opinion;

    to change the course of history.

    Synonyms: modify, amend, mutate, vary, transmute, transform

  2. to transform or convert (usually followed by into ):

    The witch changed the prince into a toad.

  3. to substitute another or others for; exchange for something else, usually of the same kind:

    She changed her shoes when she got home from the office.

    Synonyms: swap, replace

  4. to give and take reciprocally; interchange:

    to change places with someone.

    Synonyms: trade

  5. to transfer from one (conveyance) to another:

    You'll have to change planes in Chicago.

  6. to give or get an equivalent amount of money in lower denominations in exchange for:

    to change a five-dollar bill.

  7. to give or get foreign money in exchange for:

    to change dollars into euros.

    Synonyms: convert

  8. to remove and replace the covering or coverings of:

    to change a bed.

  9. to remove a dirty diaper from (a baby) and replace it with a clean one:

    new parents, learning to change a baby.



verb (used without object)

, changed, chang·ing.
  1. to become different:

    Overnight the nation's mood changed.

  2. to become altered or modified:

    Colors change if they are exposed to the sun.

    Synonyms: alternate, mutate, vary

    Antonyms: remain

  3. to become transformed or converted (usually followed by into ):

    The toad changed back into a prince.

  4. to pass gradually into (usually followed by to or into ):

    Summer changed to autumn.

  5. to switch or to make an exchange:

    If you want to sit next to the window, I'll change with you.

  6. to transfer between trains or other conveyances:

    We can take the local and change to an express at the next stop.

  7. to remove one's clothes and put on different clothes:

    She changed into jeans.

  8. (of the moon) to pass from one phase to another.
  9. (of the voice) to become deeper in tone; come to have a lower register:

    The boy's voice began to change when he was thirteen.

noun

  1. the act or fact of changing; fact of being changed:

    They are pleased by the change in their son's behavior.

    Synonyms: vicissitude, conversion, mutation, transmutation

    Antonyms: permanence

  2. a transformation or modification; alteration:

    They noticed the change in his facial expression.

  3. a variation or deviation:

    a change in the daily routine.

  4. the substitution of one thing for another:

    We finally made the change to an oil-burning furnace.

    Synonyms: exchange

  5. variety or novelty:

    Let's try a new restaurant for a change.

  6. the passing from one place, state, form, or phase to another:

    a change of seasons;

    social change.

  7. Jazz. harmonic progression from one tonality to another; modulation.
  8. the supplanting of one thing by another:

    We need a total change of leadership.

    Synonyms: replacement

  9. anything that is or may be substituted for another.

    Synonyms: replacement

  10. a fresh set of clothing.
  11. money given in exchange for an equivalent of higher denomination.
  12. a balance of money that is returned when the sum tendered in payment is larger than the sum due.
  13. coins of low denomination.
  14. any of the various sequences in which a peal of bells may be rung.
  15. Also 'change. British. exchange ( def 10 ).
  16. Obsolete. changefulness; caprice.

verb phrase

    1. to take turns with another, as at doing a task.
    2. to alternate between two tasks or between a task and a rest break.

change

/ tʃeɪndʒ /

verb

  1. to make or become different; alter
  2. tr to replace with or exchange for another

    to change one's name

  3. sometimes foll byto or into to transform or convert or be transformed or converted
  4. to give and receive (something) in return; interchange

    to change places with someone

  5. tr to give or receive (money) in exchange for the equivalent sum in a smaller denomination or different currency
  6. tr to remove or replace the coverings of

    to change a baby

  7. whenintr, may be foll by into or out of to put on other clothes
  8. intr (of the moon) to pass from one phase to the following one
  9. to operate (the gear lever of a motor vehicle) in order to alter the gear ratio

    to change gear

  10. to alight from (one bus, train, etc) and board another
  11. change face
    to rotate the telescope of a surveying instrument through 180° horizontally and vertically, taking a second sighting of the same object in order to reduce error
  12. change feet informal.
    to put on different shoes, boots, etc
  13. change front
    1. military to redeploy (a force in the field) so that its main weight of weapons points in another direction
    2. to alter one's attitude, opinion, etc
  14. change hands
    to pass from one owner to another
  15. change one's mind
    to alter one's decision or opinion
  16. change one's tune
    to alter one's attitude or tone of speech
“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


noun

  1. the act or fact of changing or being changed
  2. a variation, deviation, or modification
  3. the substitution of one thing for another; exchange
  4. anything that is or may be substituted for something else
  5. variety or novelty (esp in the phrase for a change )

    I want to go to France for a change

  6. a different or fresh set, esp of clothes
  7. money given or received in return for its equivalent in a larger denomination or in a different currency
  8. the balance of money given or received when the amount tendered is larger than the amount due
  9. coins of a small denomination regarded collectively
  10. archaic.
    often capital a place where merchants meet to transact business; an exchange
  11. the act of passing from one state or phase to another
  12. the transition from one phase of the moon to the next
  13. the order in which a peal of bells may be rung
  14. sport short for changeover
  15. slang.
    desirable or useful information
  16. obsolete.
    fickleness or caprice
  17. change of heart
    a profound change of outlook, opinion, etc
  18. get no change out of someone slang.
    not to be successful in attempts to exploit or extract information from someone
  19. ring the changes
    to vary the manner or performance of an action that is often repeated
“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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Derived Forms

  • ˈchangelessness, noun
  • ˈchanger, noun
  • ˈchangeless, adjective
  • ˈchangelessly, adverb
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Other Words From

  • chang·ed·ness [cheyn, -jid-nis, cheynjd, -], noun
  • un·changed adjective
  • un·changing adjective
  • un·changing·ly adverb
  • un·changing·ness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of change1

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English verb cha(u)ngen, from Anglo-French, Old French changer, from Late Latin cambiāre, Latin cambīre “to exchange, barter”; Middle English noun cha(u)nge, from Anglo-French, Old French, noun derivative of the verb; of Celtic origin
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Word History and Origins

Origin of change1

C13: from Old French changier, from Latin cambīre to exchange, barter
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. change front, Military. to shift a military force in another direction.
  2. change one's mind, to change one's opinions or intentions.
  3. ring the changes,
    1. to perform all permutations possible in ringing a set of tuned bells, as in a bell tower of a church.
    2. to vary the manner of performing an action or of discussing a subject; repeat with variations.
  4. change hands. hand ( def 48 ).

More idioms and phrases containing change

  • for a change
  • leopard cannot change its spots
  • piece of change
  • ring the changes
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Example Sentences

One agency executive said that it would be surprising if advertisers return en masse in early August without commitments to address advertisers’ desired changes.

From Digiday

The government had estimated that the rule changes would cause about 70,000 women, and at most 126,000 women, to lose contraception coverage in one year.

From Fortune

His team’s mandate is to back companies tied to major long-term shifts in areas like climate change and health care.

From Fortune

The picture and the pace at which it was changing were dizzying.

From Fortune

The focus was on low-cost ergonomic changes that reduced physical stress.

From Fortune

Term limits could be a prescription to speed change along.

And as he adjusted to this change in circumstances, he screamed at himself a second time: Wait!

When we meet them, their lives are unfulfilled, and at no point are we convinced their condition will change.

If we want that to change, then all of us have to encourage our legislators to make funding community policing a priority.

Whatever happened overtook them both within a minute or so of that altitude change request, and they were never heard from again.

In treble, second and fourth, the first change is a dodge behind; and the second time the treble leads, there's a double Bob.

The Seven-score and four on the six middle Bells, the treble leading, and the tenor lying behind every change, makes good Musick.

Never was a change more remarkable than that which had come upon Mrs. Collingwood.

When the whole hunt is hunting up, each single change is made between the whole hunt, and the next bell above it.

Almost, he saw her visibly change—here in the twilight of the little Luxor garden by his side.

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When To Use

What is another way to say change?

To change something is to make its form, nature, or content different from what it is currently or from what it would be if left alone. How is change different from alter? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

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.

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