modify
to change somewhat the form or qualities of; alter partially; amend: to modify a contract.
Grammar. (of a word, phrase, or clause) to stand in a syntactically subordinate relation to (another word, phrase, or clause), usually with descriptive, limiting, or particularizing meaning; be a modifier. In a good man, good modifies man.
to be the modifier or attribute of.
to change (a vowel) by umlaut.
to reduce or lessen in degree or extent; moderate; soften: to modify one's demands.
to be or become modified.
Origin of modify
1synonym study For modify
Other words for modify
Other words from modify
- mod·i·fi·a·ble, adjective
- mod·i·fi·a·bil·i·ty, mod·i·fi·a·ble·ness, noun
- non·mod·i·fy·ing, adjective
- o·ver·mod·i·fy, verb, o·ver·mod·i·fied, o·ver·mod·i·fy·ing.
- pre·mod·i·fy, verb (used with object), pre·mod·i·fied, pre·mod·i·fy·ing.
- re·mod·i·fy, verb, re·mod·i·fied, re·mod·i·fy·ing.
- un·mod·i·fi·a·ble, adjective
- un·mod·i·fied, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use modify in a sentence
To test that hypothesis, the researchers genetically modified H3 histones in rats by replacing the amino acid that dopamine attaches to with a different one it doesn’t react with.
The Epigenetic Secrets Behind Dopamine, Drug Addiction and Depression | R. Douglas Fields | October 27, 2020 | Quanta MagazineThese companies’ products do not include genetically modified components, so they don’t need to go through the same regulatory process as Impossible.
Impossible Foods enters grocery stores outside the U.S. for the first time | Naomi Xu Elegant | October 20, 2020 | FortuneOne other thing that makes modifying the Land Cruiser so easy is the parts commonality it shares with the rest of Toyota’s truck range.
Bespoken’s drinks are made from a base alcohol or by modifying existing aged spirits, including some that would meet EU “whisky” requirements.
While many got started with the program by simply reformatting or modifying existing commerce content, others began developing content specially for Onsite Associates.
‘Completely fell off a cliff’: Amazon Onsite Associates has gotten bumpy for some participating publishers | Max Willens | October 9, 2020 | Digiday
These are the two most important conditions of authorship; all the rest belong to the "less modifiable" order of things.
George Eliot's Life, Vol. II (of 3) | George EliotMeans of correcting the modifiable being that we call bad, and encouraging the other that we call good.
Diderot and the Encyclopdists | John MorleyThe little part of the scheme of affairs which is modifiable by our efforts is continuous with the rest of the world.
Human Nature and Conduct | John DeweyMore from observing others than by studying ourselves we see how modifiable a thing human nature is.
Determinism or Free-Will? | Chapman CohenThat instincts in their nascent stages are easily modifiable, and capable of being attached to various sorts of objects.
The Analysis of Mind | Bertrand Russell
British Dictionary definitions for modify
/ (ˈmɒdɪˌfaɪ) /
to change the structure, character, intent, etc, of
to make less extreme or uncompromising: to modify a demand
grammar (of a word or group of words) to bear the relation of modifier to (another word or group of words)
linguistics to change (a vowel) by umlaut
(intr) to be or become modified
Origin of modify
1Derived forms of modify
- modifiable, adjective
- modifiability or modifiableness, noun
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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