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.
Idioms for 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
1. Change,alter both mean to make a difference in the state or condition of a thing or to substitute another state or condition. To change is to make a material difference so that the thing is distinctly different from what it was: to change one's opinion. To alter is to make some partial change, as in appearance, but usually to preserve the identity: to alter a dress, as by raising the hem ( to change a dress would mean to put on a different one).
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.
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
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
Nothing in it was meant to change the basic operations of the capitalist economy or to intervene aggressively in class relations.
Thank Congress, Not LBJ for Great Society|Julian Zelizer, Scott Porch|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I think what we want and what we need is to be part of the system, and change it for the betterment of our people.
Ed Brooke: The Senate's Civil Rights Pioneer and Prophet of a Post-Racial America|John Avlon|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Inter-marriage had been rendered possible by a change in the law, and social intermixture was going on.
The Outline of History: Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind|Herbert George Wells
At sunset the western sky will change to crimson and the eastern cliffs will change to gold.
A Trip to the Orient|Robert Urie Jacob
The alcalde was trying to change the course of the conversation.
The Social Cancer|Jos Rizal
But even in that glimpse I saw the change which years had brought.
Aladdin & Co.|Herbert Quick
I believe that they silently rate each other as we do men on 'Change—worth five hundred, worth eight hundred napkins.
Debit and Credit|Gustav Freytag
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 faceto 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 feetinformalto put on different shoes, boots, etc
change front
militaryto 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 handsto pass from one owner to another
change one's mindto alter one's decision or opinion
change one's tuneto 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)archaica 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)
slangdesirable or useful information
obsoletefickleness or caprice
change of hearta profound change of outlook, opinion, etc
get no change out of someoneslangnot to be successful in attempts to exploit or extract information from someone
ring the changesto vary the manner or performance of an action that is often repeated
See also change down, changeover, change round, change up
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