change

1. 1

   To become something different.intransitive

   • The tadpole changed into a frog.
   • Stock prices are constantly changing.
2. 2

   To make something into something else.ergativetransitive

   • The fairy changed the frog into a prince.
   • I had to change the wording of the ad so it would fit.
3. 3

   To replace.transitive

   • Ask the janitor to come and change the lightbulb.
   • After a brisk walk, I washed up and changed my shirt.
4. 4

   To replace one's clothing.intransitive

   • You can't go into the dressing room while she’s changing.
   • The clowns changed into their costumes before the circus started.
5. 5

   To replace the clothing of (the one wearing it), especially to put a clean diaper on (someone).transitive

   • It’s your turn to change the baby.
6. 6

   To replace the sheets on (a bed) with fresh clean ones.transitive

7. 7

   To transfer to another vehicle (train, bus, etc.)intransitive

   • After stopping at these stations, my train has become busy. Returning day-trippers make up a goodly number, along with young people heading for a night out in Bristol, which is where I change once again.
8. 8

   To exchange.archaic

   • I would give any thing to change a word or two with this person.
9. 9

   To change hand while riding (a horse).transitive

   • to change a horse

syn. alter · modify · make another

1. 1

   The process or result of becoming different.countableuncountable

   • The product is undergoing a change in order to improve it.
   • Such much-needed changes to the exam format might have a serious effect on candidates' performance.
2. 2

   Small denominations of money given in exchange for a larger denomination.uncountable

   • Can I get change for this $100 bill, please?
3. 3

   A replacement.countable

   • a change of clothes
4. 4

   A replacement.; A replacement of a soiled diaper with a clean one; a diaper change.countableuncountable

   • The baby needs a change
5. 5

   Balance of money returned from the sum paid after deducting the price of a purchase.uncountable

   • A customer who pays with a 10-pound note for a £9 item receives one pound in change.
6. 6

   An amount of cash, usually in the form of coins, but sometimes inclusive of paper money.uncountable

   • Do you have any change on you? I need to make a phone call.
   • This bus ride requires exact change.
7. 7

   A transfer between vehicles.countable

   • The train journey from Bristol to Nottingham includes a change at Birmingham.
8. 8

   A change-up pitch.countableuncountable

9. 9

   Any order in which a number of bells are struck, other than that of the diatonic scale.countableuncountable

   • Four bells admit twenty-four changes in ringing.
10. 10

    A public house; an alehouse.Scotlandcountabledated

    • 1727-1728, Edward Burt, Letters from a Gentleman in the North of Scotland to his Friend in London They call an alehouse a change.

syn. alteration · change · deviation · modification · mutation · permutation · transfiguration · transmutation · variation

ant. conservation · continuance · perpetuation · preservation