n.
Pronunciation: ' ch ā nj
Function: verb
Inflected Form: changed ; chang · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French changer, from Latin cambiare to exchange, probably of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish camm crooked
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 a : to make different in some particular : ALTER <never bothered to change the will> b : to make radically different : TRANSFORM <can't change human nature> c : to give a different position, course, or direction to
2 a : to replace with another <let's change the subject> b : to make a shift from one to another : SWITCH <always change s sides in an argument> c : to exchange for an equivalent sum of money (as in smaller denominations or in a foreign currency) < change a 20-dollar bill> d : to undergo a modification of <foliage changing color> e : to put fresh clothes or covering on < change a bed>
intransitive verb
1 : to become different <her mood change s every hour>
2 of the moon : to pass from one phase to another
3 : to shift one's means of conveyance : TRANSFER <on the bus trip he had to change twice>
4 of the voice : to shift to lower register : BREAK
5 : to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution <winter changed to spring>
6 : to put on different clothes <need a few minutes to change for dinner>
7 : EXCHANGE , SWITCH <neither liked his seat so they changed with each other>
– chang · er noun
– change hands : to pass from the possession of one owner to that of another <money changes hands many times>
synonyms CHANGE , ALTER , VARY , MODIFY mean to make or become different. CHANGE implies making either an essential difference often amounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another < changed the shirt for a larger size>. ALTER implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity <slightly altered the original design>. VARY stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition < vary your daily routine>. MODIFY suggests a difference that limits, restricts, or adapts to a new purpose < modified the building for use by the disabled>.