change

[ cheynj ]

/ tʃeɪndʒ /

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See synonyms for: change / changed / changes / changing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), changed, chang·ing.

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.

to transform or convert (usually followed by into): The witch changed the prince into a toad.

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.

to give and take reciprocally; interchange: to change places with someone.

to transfer from one (conveyance) to another: You'll have to change planes in Chicago.

to give or get an equivalent amount of money in lower denominations in exchange for: to change a five-dollar bill.

to give or get foreign money in exchange for: to change dollars into euros.

to remove and replace the covering or coverings of: to change a bed.

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.

to become different: Overnight the nation's mood changed.

to become altered or modified: Colors change if they are exposed to the sun.

to become transformed or converted (usually followed by into): The toad changed back into a prince.

to pass gradually into (usually followed by to or into): Summer changed to autumn.

to switch or to make an exchange: If you want to sit next to the window, I'll change with you.

to transfer between trains or other conveyances: We can take the local and change to an express at the next stop.

to remove one's clothes and put on different clothes: She changed into jeans.

(of the moon) to pass from one phase to another.

(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

the act or fact of changing; fact of being changed: They are pleased by the change in their son's behavior.

a transformation or modification; alteration: They noticed the change in his facial expression.

a variation or deviation: a change in the daily routine.

the substitution of one thing for another: We finally made the change to an oil-burning furnace.

variety or novelty: Let's try a new restaurant for a change.

the passing from one place, state, form, or phase to another: a change of seasons;social change.

Jazz. harmonic progression from one tonality to another; modulation.

the supplanting of one thing by another: We need a total change of leadership.

anything that is or may be substituted for another.

a fresh set of clothing.

money given in exchange for an equivalent of higher denomination.

a balance of money that is returned when the sum tendered in payment is larger than the sum due.

coins of low denomination.

any of the various sequences in which a peal of bells may be rung.

Also 'change .British. exchange (def. 10).

Obsolete. changefulness; caprice.

Verb Phrases

change off,

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

OTHER WORDS FOR change

1 transmute, transform; vary, mutate; amend, modify.

3 replace, swap.

4 trade.

7 convert.

11 vary, mutate, alternate.

19 transmutation, mutation, conversion, vicissitude.

22 exchange.

26, 27 replacement.

See synonyms for change on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR change

11 remain.

19 permanence.

See antonyms for change on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about change

change front, Military. to shift a military force in another direction.

change hands. hand (def. 48).

change one's mind, to change one's opinions or intentions.

ring the changes,

to perform all permutations possible in ringing a set of tuned bells, as in a bell tower of a church.
to vary the manner of performing an action or of discussing a subject; repeat with variations.

Origin of change

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

historical usage of change

The English noun and verb change are both recorded at just about the same time (between 1200 and 1225), but the meanings of the noun follow those of the verb. The Middle English verb change, chaungen, chaungie, changen, chaingen (and other spelling variants) “to be altered, alter (a purpose, attitude, or opinion), transform or be transformed; substitute, exchange” come from Anglo-French chaunger, changir and Old French changier, with the same meanings. The French verb comes from Latin cambiāre “to exchange,” from earlier cambīre “to exchange, barter,” both of Celtic (Gaulish) origin.
The French development from cambiāre to changier is regular; other Romance languages have developed in differing ways: Spanish and Portuguese cambiar keep cambiāre more or less intact; Catalan has canviar; Sardinian has cambiare; Old Provençal has both cambiar and camjar; Old Italian (late 12th century) has cambiare, but modern Italian only cangiare.
The Middle English verb was used to refer to the exchange of money, coins, or currency, but the corresponding noun meanings did not appear until the mid-16th century; the specific usage “the balance of money returned to a buyer” is first recorded in 1665.

OTHER WORDS FROM change

chang·ed·ness

[cheyn-jid-nis, cheynjd-], /ˈtʃeɪn dʒɪd nɪs, ˈtʃeɪndʒd-/, nounun·changed, adjectiveun·chang·ing, adjectiveun·chang·ing·ly, adverb

un·chang·ing·ness, noun

Words nearby change

Changan, Changchiakow, Changchow, Changchun, Changde, change, changeable, change down, changeful, change hands, change horses in midstream, don't

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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.

How to use change in a sentence

One agency executive said that it would be surprising if advertisers return en masse in early August without commitments to address advertisers’ desired changes.
‘We’re letting Facebook grade their own homework’: Here’s how advertisers’ desired changes differ from overall boycott|Kristina Monllos|July 9, 2020|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.
70,000 women expected to lose birth control coverage after Supreme Court ruling|Rachel Schallom|July 8, 2020|Fortune
His team’s mandate is to back companies tied to major long-term shifts in areas like climate change and health care.
Perfect Day raises $300 million to make animal-free dairy|Beth Kowitt|July 8, 2020|Fortune
The picture and the pace at which it was changing were dizzying.
Is it time for your business to hire a chief public health officer?|Erika Fry|July 8, 2020|Fortune

The focus was on low-cost ergonomic changes that reduced physical stress.
Good health is good business. Here’s why.|Andrew Nusca|July 8, 2020|Fortune
Term limits could be a prescription to speed change along.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Congress|Dean Obeidallah|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And as he adjusted to this change in circumstances, he screamed at himself a second time: Wait!
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’|Asawin Suebsaeng|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
When we meet them, their lives are unfulfilled, and at no point are we convinced their condition will change.
The Lost Novel of Nobel-Winner José Saramago|Charles Shafaieh|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
If we want that to change, then all of us have to encourage our legislators to make funding community policing a priority.
How to Solve the Policing Crisis|Keli Goff|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Whatever happened overtook them both within a minute or so of that altitude change request, and they were never heard from again.
Flight 8501 Poses Question: Are Modern Jets Too Automated to Fly?|Clive Irving|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In treble, second and fourth, the first change is a dodge behind; and the second time the treble leads, there's a double Bob.
Tintinnalogia, or, the Art of Ringing|Richard Duckworth and Fabian Stedman
The Seven-score and four on the six middle Bells, the treble leading, and the tenor lying behind every change, makes good Musick.
Tintinnalogia, or, the Art of Ringing|Richard Duckworth and Fabian Stedman
Never was a change more remarkable than that which had come upon Mrs. Collingwood.
The Boarded-Up House|Augusta Huiell Seaman
When the whole hunt is hunting up, each single change is made between the whole hunt, and the next bell above it.
Tintinnalogia, or, the Art of Ringing|Richard Duckworth and Fabian Stedman
Almost, he saw her visibly change—here in the twilight of the little Luxor garden by his side.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood

British Dictionary definitions for change

change

/ (tʃeɪndʒ) /

verb

to make or become different; alter

(tr) to replace with or exchange for anotherto change one's name

(sometimes foll by to or into) to transform or convert or be transformed or converted

to give and receive (something) in return; interchangeto change places with someone

(tr) to give or receive (money) in exchange for the equivalent sum in a smaller denomination or different currency

(tr) to remove or replace the coverings ofto change a baby

(when intr, may be foll by into or out of) to put on other clothes

(intr) (of the moon) to pass from one phase to the following one

to operate (the gear lever of a motor vehicle) in order to alter the gear ratioto change gear

to alight from (one bus, train, etc) and board another

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

change feet informal to put on different shoes, boots, etc

change front

military to redeploy (a force in the field) so that its main weight of weapons points in another direction
to alter one's attitude, opinion, etc

change hands to pass from one owner to another

change one's mind to alter one's decision or opinion

change one's tune to alter one's attitude or tone of speech

noun

the act or fact of changing or being changed

a variation, deviation, or modification

the substitution of one thing for another; exchange

anything that is or may be substituted for something else

variety or novelty (esp in the phrase for a change)I want to go to France for a change

a different or fresh set, esp of clothes

money given or received in return for its equivalent in a larger denomination or in a different currency

the balance of money given or received when the amount tendered is larger than the amount due

coins of a small denomination regarded collectively

(often capital) archaic a place where merchants meet to transact business; an exchange

the act of passing from one state or phase to another

the transition from one phase of the moon to the next

the order in which a peal of bells may be rung

sport short for changeover (def. 3b)

slang desirable or useful information

obsolete fickleness or caprice

change of heart a profound change of outlook, opinion, etc

get no change out of someone slang not to be successful in attempts to exploit or extract information from someone

ring the changes to vary the manner or performance of an action that is often repeated

Derived forms of change

changeless, adjectivechangelessly, adverbchangelessness, nounchanger, noun

Word Origin for change

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

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with change

change

In addition to the idioms beginning with change

change hands
change horses in midstream, don't
change off
change of heart
change of life
change of pace
change one's mind
change one's stripes
change one's tune
change the subject

also see:

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

change

OTHER WORDS FOR change

OPPOSITES FOR change

Idioms about change

Origin of change

historical usage of change

OTHER WORDS FROM change

Words nearby change

WHEN TO USE

What is another way to say change?

Words related to change

How to use change in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for change

Derived forms of change

Word Origin for change

Other Idioms and Phrases with change