al ‧ ter ‧ a ‧ tion AC /ˌɔːltəˈreɪʃ ə n $ ˌɒːl-/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ alter ; noun : ↑ alteration ]
a small change that makes someone or something slightly different, or the process of this change
alteration to
If you make alterations to the Windows setup, save the new settings before closing.
alteration in
Have you noticed any alteration in the patient’s behaviour?
minor/major etc alterations
The King’s Arms pub is to undergo extensive alterations.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ change noun [uncountable and countable] a situation in which someone or something becomes different, or the act of making something different:
There was a sudden change in the weather.
|
We are living in a period of great change.
|
He was told to make some slight changes to his essay.
▪ alteration noun [uncountable and countable] a change, especially a small one that happens naturally or gradually, or one that is made in order to improve something:
I noticed a slight alteration in her behaviour.
|
They had to make some alterations to their original theory.
▪ reform noun [uncountable and countable] a change made to a system or law in order to improve it:
He called for a reform of our outdated voting system.
|
Many people opposed the economic reforms.
▪ shift noun [countable] a change, especially in people’s attitudes or in the way they do things, or in the position of someone or something:
a shift in public opinion about the war
|
There has been a noticeable shift in government policy on education.
|
There needs to be a major shift away from road transport to rail transport.
|
After he died, there was a dramatic shift in the balance of power.
▪ swing a big change, especially in someone’s opinions or moods:
There has been a big swing toward the Democrats (=many more people are supporting them) .
|
The drug can cause mood swings.
▪ fluctuation noun [uncountable and countable] a change in something - used when something changes often:
fluctuations in the value of the dollar
|
temperature fluctuations
|
fluctuations in his mood
|
There has been some fluctuation in productivity levels.