exchangeexchange2 ●●○ verb [transitive] 
We exchange gifts at Christmas. At the end of the game, players traditionally exchange shirts with each other. We exchanged phone numbers. b)to give someone something and receive something different from them SYN changeexchange something for something Where can I exchange my dollars for pounds?RegisterIn everyday British English, people usually say swap or, in everyday American English, trade, rather than exchange:· Do you want to swap (BrE)/trade (AmE) seats with me?2to replace one thing with another SYN swapexchange something for something He exchanged the black jacket for a blue one.3exchange words/looks etc (with somebody) if two people exchange words, looks etc, they talk to each other, look at each other etc: Until this evening I had never so much as exchanged a word with him. The two women exchanged glances and laughed. I went over and exchanged greetings with everyone.4exchange blows (with somebody) if two people exchange blows, they hit each other5exchange information/ideas etc to discuss something or share information, ideas etc: It’s a place where people can chat and exchange ideas.6exchange contracts especially British English to complete the final stage of buying a house by signing a contract with the person you are buying it from—exchangeable adjectiveTHESAURUSexchange to give something to someone, and receive a similar thing from them at the same time. Exchange is often used about people telling each other about their ideas, phone numbers, addresses etc: · They exchanged photographs before they met.· a place where people can exchange ideas· We exchanged email addresses.· if you are unhappy with the jacket, you can always take it back and exchange it for another one.· These coupons can be exchanged for meals and accommodation.change to exchange something, especially money. Also used in British English about exchanging something you have bought for something different: · I need to change some dollars.· She changed all her money into euros.· We thought it was time we changed our car for something more modern.swap (also do a swap BrE) informal to give something to someone, who gives you something similar: · The two schools use the Internet to swap pictures, stories, and jokes.· I like your room better – do you want to do a swap?trade (also do a trade American English) to exchange something that you have for something that someone else has: · The stolen phones are being traded for drugs.· The boys trade sports cards on the playground.· We've got lots of plants we don't need – do you want to do a trade?switch to change the places of two or more people or things, so that each one is in the place the other was before: · Can I switch seats with you?reciprocate to do or give something, because someone has done or given something similar to you – a rather formal use: · They invited us to dinner a while ago, and I'd like to reciprocate.in exchange/return (for something) if you give something in exchange or in return for something else, you give it in order to get something else back: · Williams will plead guilty in exchange for a reduced sentence.
VERB TABLE
exchange
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | exchange |
| he, she, it | exchanges | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | exchanged |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have exchanged |
| he, she, it | has exchanged | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had exchanged |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will exchange |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have exchanged |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am exchanging |
| he, she, it | is exchanging | |
| you, we, they | are exchanging | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was exchanging |
| you, we, they | were exchanging | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been exchanging |
| he, she, it | has been exchanging | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been exchanging |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be exchanging |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been exchanging |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- As Sally approached wearing her new dress, the others exchanged glances and tried not to laugh.
- Danny and his lawyer exchanged uneasy looks.
- Did you exchange any money before your trip?
- Foreign currency can be exchanged for sterling at any bank.
- My family still exchanges gifts at Christmas.
- The two men were exchanging insults and accusing each other of mismanagement.
- This shirt is too big. Can I exchange it?
- We exchanged phone numbers, but I don't think I'll call him.
- Bellamy exchanged wild shots with MacLane as we left the captain in the middle of the road.
- First Bank System has offered to exchange 2. 6 of its shares for each First Interstate share in the proposed acquisition.
- Grant rode down to the river to exchange congratulations with Admiral Porter on their joint victory.
- I wish to exchange this flash-of-lightning faith for continuous daylight, this fever-glow for a benign climate.
- I would be glad to exchange them for the same face value as the increasingly worthless and derisory folding stuff.
- None of the passengers exchanged names and addresses-they were too distraught.
- Sometimes the food they bring runs out and they have to exchange their precious maize for a few mangoes.
- The volunteer returned once a week to ask the patient if he or she wanted to exchange the prints for others.
THESAURUS
to give something to someone, and receive a similar thing from them at the same time. Exchange is often used about people telling each other about their ideas, phone numbers, addresses etc: · They exchanged photographs before they met.· a place where people can exchange ideas· We exchanged email addresses.· if you are unhappy with the jacket, you can always take it back and exchange it for another one.· These coupons can be exchanged for meals and accommodation.
to exchange something, especially money. Also used in British English about exchanging something you have bought for something different: · I need to change some dollars.· She changed all her money into euros.· We thought it was time we changed our car for something more modern.
(also do a swap BrE) informal to give something to someone, who gives you something similar: · The two schools use the Internet to swap pictures, stories, and jokes.· I like your room better – do you want to do a swap?
(also do a trade American English) to exchange something that you have for something that someone else has: · The stolen phones are being traded for drugs.· The boys trade sports cards on the playground.· We've got lots of plants we don't need – do you want to do a trade?
to change the places of two or more people or things, so that each one is in the place the other was before: · Can I switch seats with you?
to do or give something, because someone has done or given something similar to you – a rather formal use: · They invited us to dinner a while ago, and I'd like to reciprocate.
if you give something in exchange or in return for something else, you give it in order to get something else back: · Williams will plead guilty in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Longman Language Activatorto exchange one thing for another to give something to someone and receive a similar thing from them at the same time: exchange addresses/telephone numbers: · We exchanged addresses and phone numbers.exchange something for something: · Foreign currency can be exchanged for sterling at any bank.
informal to exchange something with someone, especially with someone you know well, so that you each get something that you want: · Jacky had the book I wanted, but wasn't willing to swap.swap something with somebody: · Taylor offered to swap jobs with me.swap something for something: · I'm trying to sell my bike, or swap it for a slightly bigger one.
especially American to exchange something that you have for something that someone else has: · We liked each other's clothes, so we traded.trade something for something: · The West is accused of trading weapons for hostages.I'll trade you spoken (=say this when you want to exchange something): · I'll trade you my baseball for those two cars.
British an informal expression: if two people do a swap with each other they exchange things so that they each get what they want: do a swap with somebody: · If you can't work a particular shift, you can always do a swap with a colleague.
to give your old car, washing machine etc to the shop that you are buying a new one from, so that they will let you buy the new one for a slightly lower price: trade in something: · You can get quite good price reductions on new cars if you trade in your old one.trade something/it/them in: · My car was now six years old, so I traded it in and got a newer one.trade in something for: · They traded in their Porsche for a family car.
British /exchange American to exchange something you have bought or chosen because you have decided you want something different or because there is something wrong with it: · If the trousers are the wrong size you can always change them.change something for something: · Can I exchange this sweater for a black one?
to exchange something that you have for something that you want or need without giving or taking money for it: barter something for something: · In the local market, meat and vegetables are bartered for electrical goods.barter with: · She had some success in bartering with her guards.
to exchange something so that two or more things or people change the places that they are in: · He was accused of switching the price labels on goods.· Professor Rigby's talk may be switched to the main hall.switch seats/places: · We switched seats halfway through the show.
to exchange the place you are standing or sitting on with another person: change places with: · Would you mind changing places with me?
if a group of people who are dancing change partners , they stop dancing with one person and dance with another person in the group: · We agreed to change partners after a couple of dances.
when you exchange one thing for another when you give something to someone and receive a similar thing from them at the same time: · Sale goods can be brought back to the store for an exchange or store credit.exchange of: · The exchange of prisoners took place on a bridge over the Mekong river.· In any negotiations there must be an honest exchange of information.
the useful exchange of ideas or information between people or organizations, especially when this happens continuously over a long period of time: interchange of: · The conference provides a forum for the interchange of ideas and information.data/document interchange (=the exchange of information by computer): · The new program should help solve some of the problems of data interchange between companies with different computer systems.
especially British /trade especially American informal when you give something to someone and receive a similar thing from them, usually someone you know: · If you are unable to sell your house, it is sometimes possible to arrange a swap.· After a brief discussion we agreed a trade.
ways of saying what you give or get when you exchange things if you give something or do something in exchange or in return for something else, you give it in order to get something else back: · He is always willing to help people out, without expecting anything in return.in exchange/in return for: · In exchange for giving evidence in court, Jacobs was granted freedom and allowed to leave the country.
in exchange for: give/offer somebody something for something: · They gave me £200 for my old car.· She offered me $30 for my bike.· I get £35 for each shift, plus tips.
happening during the time that something else happens use this to say that each of two or more people do the same thing to the other person or people, or have the same feelings towards them: · The twins looked at one another and giggled.· You can tell that George and Hannah like each other, can't you?· By the end of the holiday we were all beginning to annoy each other.each ... the other: · When Kerry and Sam met again two years later, each was equally pleased to see the other.· The brothers started to quarrel, each accusing the other of being responsible for the mistake.
: exchange looks/glances/insults etc look at each other, insult each other etc: · Danny and his lawyer exchanged uneasy looks.· As Sally approached wearing her new dress, the others exchanged glances and tried not to laugh.· The two men were exchanging insults and accusing each other of mismanagement.
: mutual respect/hatred/support etc respecting, hating etc each other equally: · A good marriage should be based on mutual love and respect.· The meeting broke up in an atmosphere of mutual irritation.the feeling is mutual (=both people feel the same): · He was very much in love with Hilda and the feeling appeared to be mutual.
formal: reciprocal agreement/arrangement/visit etc an agreement etc in which one person or country does or gives the same thing to another, as they have officially agreed to do: · The French students come to our school in November, and we then make a reciprocal visit to theirs.· In countries which do not have reciprocal health agreements with your own, you will need to take out health insurance.on a reciprocal basis (=with the understanding that both people, countries etc will do the same): · Senior officials from both countries make regular visits on a reciprocal basis.
: two-way communication/exchange/contact etc when two people or groups have an equal chance to express their opinions and are listening to or helping each other: · It was impossible to have a two-way conversation with Derek, because he never stopped talking.· Managers who want two-way communication with their staff must be prepared to listen to what they have to say.
: trade insults/threats/blows etc to insult, threaten etc each other in an argument or fight, especially in public: · The prime minister and his chancellor exchanged insults on the front pages of the national newspapers last week.· The debating chamber is often simply used as a platform for trading verbal abuse.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The two men exchanged courtesies before getting down to business. The dollar is expected to fall in the foreign exchange markets. The two cousins exchanged greetings (=greeted each other). Two men were shot in an exchange of gunfire with the police. The company takes the buyer’s property in part exchange. Stephen and Mr Illing exchanged pleasantries. The company is now quoted on the stock exchange (=people can buy and sell shares in it).
The two men exchanged courtesies before getting down to business. (=the process of changing from one country’s currency to another)· Banks make good profits on currency exchange.
The dollar is expected to fall in the foreign exchange markets. (=give someone a gift at the same time as they give you a gift)· We exchange gifts on Christmas Day.
(=look at each other quickly)· Mai exchanged glances with Tatsuya.
(=talk about other people and their private lives with someone)· They used to meet up and exchange gossip.
The two cousins exchanged greetings (=greeted each other). Two men were shot in an exchange of gunfire with the police.· The teams exchanged handshakes at the end of the game.
(=tell someone else your ideas, and learn their ideas)· an opportunity for local business people to share ideas
(=give information to each other)· The meetings provided an opportunity to exchange information.
The company takes the buyer’s property in part exchange. Stephen and Mr Illing exchanged pleasantries. (=give each other a present)· We always exchange Christmas and birthday presents.
The company is now quoted on the stock exchange (=people can buy and sell shares in it). (=the value of the money of one country compared to the money of another country)· the exchange rate between the dollar and sterling
(=when people say what they think, especially when they disagree)· There was a frank exchange of views at the meeting.
(=make promises to each other as part of a wedding ceremony)· They wanted to exchange vows before their family and friends.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· Two figures were battling furiously, exchanging blows as they materialized.· While the men exchanged blows the girl struck Farini from behind with a blunt instrument.· They rolled over and over on the damp moss, exchanging blows and vile words until finally Topaz's strength ran out.
· She had to go through with it now, as she had exchanged contracts on the house.· One person close to Disney said the two parties have exchanged contracts and expect to close the transaction this month.· Don't exchange contracts until you and your client are satisfied on every point and in particular about adoption of roads and drains.· Once the hammer has fallen, the successful bidder for a house must exchange contracts immediately and pay a deposit.· Once you have exchanged contracts, the countdown to completion and the day of your move begins.· In effect this stage is equivalent to exchange of contracts in a sale by private treaty, with completion four weeks later.· If Guy had only exchanged contracts last week, he'd organised himself with impressive speed.
· However, most banks will exchange currency at short notice.· To begin with, when nations trade there arises a need to exchange their currencies.· When a central bank buys a surplus of foreign currency it exchanges it for domestic currency, here Deutschmarks.· In short, the gold standard obligated the central bank to exchange currency for gold at a fixed price.
· On the screen, two cowboys were exchanging rifle fire at a distance of thirty meters or so.· The authorities and assailants exchanged fire in a violent confrontation in which Cuenca and police officer Santiago Esparza Astorga were killed.
· The dollar rose against a basket of 10 currencies tracked by Finex, a financial futures exchange.
· Navigational transits were now flying past; glances were exchanged though no words spoken.· There was a big rear-view mirror over the bar so he could see the glances being exchanged behind his back.· In unheard-of clarity, the words that had been spoken returned, the glances that had been exchanged.· The glances Stella and Alexis exchanged seemed more intimate than was usual between a brother-in-law and a sister-in-law.
· They exchanged perishable consumer goods which were mutually valuable in the ordinary fashion of barter trade.· If people want to exchange any goods, they will do so by barter.· The employees can then exchange the vouchers for goods or services.· All the peoples traded in the products of their particular region, exchanging goods by means of barter.· Exchanging goods Anyone working in the retail trade will often have to deal with customers who want to exchange or return goods.
· They could exchange gossip about the parish; anything to distract his mind.
· He roused himself wearily to exchange greetings with the elders as they passed him, and went in to his foster-father.· Word is she and McDermott exchanged pleasantries and greetings and watched the goings-on.· Hardly a word was exchanged after the first greeting.· They exchanged brief greetings but one day he was walking slowly past the end of Magdalen Street as she cycled up.· We gathered around a paddy dike and exchanged greetings and impressions.· I wondered how long I should give them to exchange greetings.· They shook hands, exchanged greetings, and so on.
· In a process which stretched over several weeks they exchanged ideas.· As they exchanged ideas and memories, both felt richer.· Such meetings are also an opportunity to exchange ideas and see displays of books and other materials.· Some of the confusion would certainly have been lessened if the two great minds had had opportunities to exchange ideas.· Meeting together at a disability arts event can also provide rare opportunities for disabled people to exchange ideas.· They say it allows them to exchange ideas.· He needs to be able to exchange ideas, express moods and emotions.· They exchanged ideas and set their sights on a large building in Sacramento.
· As we exchanged information, the Alsatian sat at our feet, licking the salt out of an empty crisp packet.· Children exchange information with one another in their conversations and learn to view events from the position of others.· Strictly speaking, the Internet is an international network of computers linked up to exchange information.· It is very helpful to exchange information and coping measures with other sufferers of the disease and their families.· The meetings provided an opportunity to exchange information about future events and to discuss problems of mutual interest.· Bulletin boards are a low-tech way to exchange information.· Both sides also agreed to exchange information on a weekly basis between senior military commanders on troop deployments and movements.· There are also local credit associations that exchange credit information.
· When they had met and exchanged a few kisses, that would be time enough.
· The patients loved it and several laughed out loud at her antics, while Martha and Yvonne exchanged looks of glee.· They exchanged looks full of sadness, as if they had both lost something.· He watched as Gilbert exchanged a look with an equally shell-shocked Frye ... and then hurried quickly towards the reception door.· Papi exchanged a helpless look with Mami.· Riven and Ratagan exchanged a look, and Riven realised that the big man knew everything.· As you began again, all of us around you exchanged more pained looks.· The two men exchange a look and put their revolvers back into their holsters.· Jess and Red exchange another look.
· They can also exchange electronic mail messages and take part in, or initiate, electronic conferences.
· They exchanged their freedom for money and liquor, and as it turned out there would be no end of this curse.· In this process the cans of beans are exchanged for money.
· The meetings provided an opportunity to exchange information about future events and to discuss problems of mutual interest.· Some of the confusion would certainly have been lessened if the two great minds had had opportunities to exchange ideas.· Such meetings are also an opportunity to exchange ideas and see displays of books and other materials.
· Households exchange their labour services for goods.
· Harry, for his part, exchanged a knowing smile with Papaioannou, then went on in the direction of the village.· The officer asked it a second time, choosing different words, and exchanged a smile with the younger officer.· The children gagged and joked as expected, Jim and Karen exchanged smiles throughout the meal.· Monday in court, they looked relaxed, two exchanging smiles as the charges against them were detailed.· Try just exchanging some attention: see if you can exchange a smile and a flirtatious glance with him.
· Nurses busily went up and down, sometimes pausing to exchange words and careless laughter.· He was silent, and they walked on a few yards without exchanging a word.· He sat with Sir Harold for a while, but they exchanged few words.· The man was Magnus Olesen, and he and Muus did not exchange three words all afternoon.· She smiled, and exchanged a few words with him; then others came to say farewell.· He and Kemp pound down the stairway, exchanging words.· He and I exchanged sharp words when he informed me that the hamster would have to undergo the rabies test.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1 a)to give someone something and receive the same kind of thing from them at the same time: - A good resolution before you exchange contracts would be to stand back and have a really long look at the wood!
- Accordingly, no account is taken of unrealised profits or losses arising on such forward exchange contracts.
- Don't exchange contracts until you and your client are satisfied on every point and in particular about adoption of roads and drains.
- Every buyer, lessee and mortgagee of property in or in the vicinity of a coalmining area should search before exchanging contracts.
- Once the hammer has fallen, the successful bidder for a house must exchange contracts immediately and pay a deposit.
- Once you have exchanged contracts, the countdown to completion and the day of your move begins.
- One person close to Disney said the two parties have exchanged contracts and expect to close the transaction this month.
- She had to go through with it now, as she had exchanged contracts on the house.
- He and Kemp pound down the stairway, exchanging words.
- Hughes exchanged words with umpire Steve Randell after a confident appeal against Richie Richardson was turned down when he was on 47.
- I would hear the women exchange words with Miss Fingerstop.
- Linda buried herself in the crowd, exchanging words with this one and that and heading for the bar.
- Nurses busily went up and down, sometimes pausing to exchange words and careless laughter.
- The patients loved it and several laughed out loud at her antics, while Martha and Yvonne exchanged looks of glee.
- They exchanged looks full of sadness, as if they had both lost something.
- They exchanged words, not all of which appeared to be in jest.
- They rolled over and over on the damp moss, exchanging blows and vile words until finally Topaz's strength ran out.
- Two figures were battling furiously, exchanging blows as they materialized.
- While the men exchanged blows the girl struck Farini from behind with a blunt instrument.
- As they exchanged ideas and memories, both felt richer.
- Both sides also agreed to exchange information on a weekly basis between senior military commanders on troop deployments and movements.
- Bulletin boards are a low-tech way to exchange information.
- Children exchange information with one another in their conversations and learn to view events from the position of others.
- He needs to be able to exchange ideas, express moods and emotions.
- Meeting together at a disability arts event can also provide rare opportunities for disabled people to exchange ideas.
- The meetings provided an opportunity to exchange information about future events and to discuss problems of mutual interest.
- There are no formal ties between the national clearinghouses but they maintain regular contact, and exchange information, newsletters and materials.
- As a medium of exchange it no longer works, and that's that.
- Like the black woman in a slave narrative, the Chicana remains here an abiding if sometimes invisible medium of exchange.
- Monetarists stress the function of money as a medium of exchange and play down its role as a store of wealth.
- Money balances held for these two purposes are called active balances: money to be used as a medium of exchange.
- Stainless steel made good medium of exchange on a planet where all metal had to be imported.
- Such a commodity, once acceptable, performed the role of a medium of exchange and could be regarded as money.
- They are not therefore directly related to people's requirements to hold a medium of exchange.
- Trusted paper became both a collateral for short-term credit and an immensely important medium of exchange.
- He and Kemp pound down the stairway, exchanging words.
- I have words before my eyes, as you might imagine.
- I would hear the women exchange words with Miss Fingerstop.
- Linda buried herself in the crowd, exchanging words with this one and that and heading for the bar.
- Nurses busily went up and down, sometimes pausing to exchange words and careless laughter.
- Sometimes, Britten seems to have written more naturally when he didn't have words to set.
- They exchanged words, not all of which appeared to be in jest.
- Without it, you have words virtually sprinkled across the page, each project an exercise in speed and frustration.
We exchange gifts at Christmas. At the end of the game, players traditionally exchange shirts with each other. We exchanged phone numbers. b)to give someone something and receive something different from them SYN changeexchange something for something Where can I exchange my dollars for pounds?RegisterIn everyday British English, people usually say swap or, in everyday American English, trade, rather than exchange:· Do you want to swap (BrE)/trade (AmE) seats with me?2to replace one thing with another SYN swapexchange something for something He exchanged the black jacket for a blue one.3exchange words/looks etc (with somebody) if two people exchange words, looks etc, they talk to each other, look at each other etc: Until this evening I had never so much as exchanged a word with him. The two women exchanged glances and laughed. I went over and exchanged greetings with everyone.4exchange blows (with somebody) if two people exchange blows, they hit each other5exchange information/ideas etc to discuss something or share information, ideas etc: It’s a place where people can chat and exchange ideas.6exchange contracts especially British English to complete the final stage of buying a house by signing a contract with the person you are buying it from—exchangeable adjectiveTHESAURUSexchange to give something to someone, and receive a similar thing from them at the same time. Exchange is often used about people telling each other about their ideas, phone numbers, addresses etc: · They exchanged photographs before they met.· a place where people can exchange ideas· We exchanged email addresses.· if you are unhappy with the jacket, you can always take it back and exchange it for another one.· These coupons can be exchanged for meals and accommodation.change to exchange something, especially money. Also used in British English about exchanging something you have bought for something different: · I need to change some dollars.· She changed all her money into euros.· We thought it was time we changed our car for something more modern.swap (also do a swap BrE) informal to give something to someone, who gives you something similar: · The two schools use the Internet to swap pictures, stories, and jokes.· I like your room better – do you want to do a swap?trade (also do a trade American English) to exchange something that you have for something that someone else has: · The stolen phones are being traded for drugs.· The boys trade sports cards on the playground.· We've got lots of plants we don't need – do you want to do a trade?switch to change the places of two or more people or things, so that each one is in the place the other was before: · Can I switch seats with you?reciprocate to do or give something, because someone has done or given something similar to you – a rather formal use: · They invited us to dinner a while ago, and I'd like to reciprocate.in exchange/return (for something) if you give something in exchange or in return for something else, you give it in order to get something else back: · Williams will plead guilty in exchange for a reduced sentence.