change Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
    modification; alteration.
    • the change was intended to increase sales
    • this storm is certainly a change for the worse
    • the neighborhood had undergone few modifications since his last visit years ago
  2. noun a relational difference between states; especially between states before and after some event
    • he attributed the change to their marriage
  3. noun the action of changing something
    • the change of government had no impact on the economy
    • his change on abortion cost him the election
  4. noun the result of alteration or modification
    • there were marked changes in the lining of the lungs
    • there had been no change in the mountains
  5. noun the balance of money received when the amount you tender is greater than the amount due
    • I paid with a twenty and pocketed the change
  6. noun a thing that is different
    • he inspected several changes before selecting one
  7. noun a different or fresh set of clothes
    • she brought a change in her overnight bag
  8. noun coins of small denomination regarded collectively
    • he had a pocketful of change
  9. noun money received in return for its equivalent in a larger denomination or a different currency
    • he got change for a twenty and used it to pay the taxi driver
  10. noun a difference that is usually pleasant
    variety.
    • he goes to France for variety
    • it is a refreshing change to meet a woman mechanic
  11. verb cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
    modify; alter.
    • The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city
    • The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue
  12. verb undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature
    • She changed completely as she grew older
    • The weather changed last night
  13. verb become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence
    vary; alter.
    • her mood changes in accordance with the weather
    • The supermarket's selection of vegetables varies according to the season
  14. verb lay aside, abandon, or leave for another
    shift; switch.
    • switch to a different brand of beer
    • She switched psychiatrists
    • The car changed lanes
  15. verb change clothes; put on different clothes
    • Change before you go to the opera
  16. verb exchange or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category
    convert; commute; exchange.
    • Could you convert my dollars into pounds?
    • He changed his name
    • convert centimeters into inches
    • convert holdings into shares
  17. verb give to, and receive from, one another
    interchange; exchange.
    • Would you change places with me?
    • We have been exchanging letters for a year
  18. verb change from one vehicle or transportation line to another
    transfer.
    • She changed in Chicago on her way to the East coast
  19. verb become deeper in tone
    deepen.
    • His voice began to change when he was 12 years old
    • Her voice deepened when she whispered the password
  20. verb remove or replace the coverings of
    • Father had to learn how to change the baby
    • After each guest we changed the bed linens

WordNet

Change transitive verb
Etymology
F. changer, fr. LL. cambiare, to exchange, barter, L. cambire. Cf. Cambial.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Changed ; present participle & verbal noun Changing
Definitions
  1. To alter; to make different; to cause to pass from one state to another; as, to change the position, character, or appearance of a thing; to change the countenance.
    Therefore will I change their glory into shame. Hosea. iv. 7.
  2. To alter by substituting something else for, or by giving up for something else; as, to change the clothes; to change one's occupation; to change one's intention.
    They that do change old love for new, Pray gods, they change for worse! Peele.
  3. To give and take reciprocally; to exchange; -- followed by with; as, to change place, or hats, or money, with another.
    Look upon those thousands with whom thou wouldst not, for any interest, change thy fortune and condition. Jer. Taylor.
  4. Specifically: To give, or receive, smaller denominations of money (technically called change) for; as, to change a gold coin or a bank bill.
    He pulled out a thirty-pound note and bid me change it. Goldsmith.
    Syn. -- To alter; vary; deviate; substitute; innovate; diversify; shift; veer; turn. See Alter.
Change intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To be altered; to undergo variation; as, men sometimes change for the better.
    For I am Lord, I change not. Mal. iii. 6.
  2. To pass from one phase to another; as, the moon changes to-morrow night.
Change noun
Etymology
F. change, fr. changer. See Change. v. t.
Definitions
  1. Any variation or alteration; a passing from one state or form to another; as, a change of countenance; a change of habits or principles.
    Apprehensions of a change of dynasty. Hallam.
    All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Job xiv. 14.
  2. A succesion or substitution of one thing in the place of another; a difference; novelty; variety; as, a change of seasons.
    Our fathers did for change to France repair. Dryden.
    The ringing grooves of change. Tennyson.
  3. A passing from one phase to another; as, a change of the moon.
  4. Alteration in the order of a series; permutation.
  5. That which makes a variety, or may be substituted for another.
    Thirty change (R.V. changes) of garments. Judg. xiv. 12.
  6. Small money; the money by means of which the larger coins and bank bills are made available in small dealings; hence, the balance returned when payment is tendered by a coin or note exceeding the sum due.
  7. See Exchange. A place where merchants and others meet to transact business; a building appropriated for mercantile transactions. Colloq. for Exchange.
  8. A public house; an alehouse. Scot.
    They call an alehouse a change. Burt.
  9. (Mus.) Any order in which a number of bells are struck, other than that of the diatonic scale.
    Four bells admit twenty-four changes in ringing. Holder.
    Syn. -- Variety; variation; alteration; mutation; transition; vicissitude; innovation; novelty; transmutation; revolution; reverse.

Webster 1913