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alter Definition

al·ter (ôltər)

transitive verb

  1. to make different in details but not in substance; modify
  2. to resew parts of (a garment) for a better fit
  3. ☆ to castrate or spay

Etymology: ME alteren < ML alterare < L alter, other < IE *al- (see else) + -tero-, compar. suffix

intransitive verb

to become different; change; vary

alter Related Forms
al·ter·able adjective
alter Synonyms

alter

v.

  1. To change for a purpose

    modify, adjust, remodel, reconstruct; see change 1.

  2. To castrate or spay

    castrate, spay, neuter, desex, geld, sterilize, asexualize, emasculate, caponize, mutilate, fix*.

  3. To become different

    change, develop, decay; see change 4. See syn. study atchange.

alter Usage Examples

Object

  • ego: As you develop your alter ego, the world reacts to you and your actions.
  • perception: Production values can acutely alter audience perception of this scene.
  • balance: Food campaigners Sustain and the Mental Health Foundation said the way food was now produced had altered the balance of key nutrients people consume.
  • composition: Any such changes are unlikely to significantly alter the fundamental composition of the SAC series.
  • setting: You will need to alter the settings on your particular software to gain access.
  • appearance: You can also buy vinyl printed sheets to alter the appearance of your bin.

Modifying Another Word

  • radically: The outside of the Church was also radically altered.
  • genetically: For example, UK approval of genetically altered soya was based solely on safety data collected by Monsanto who produce the product.
  • fundamentally: I believe that the two Bills, taken together can fundamentally alter the landscape of domestic energy for the better " .
  • drastically: Having been men, mice became mice, drastically altering the food chain, bringing to life spoons.
  • dramatically: A barrage could supply much of South Wales and the West Country, but would dramatically alter the local environment.
  • significantly: Any such changes are unlikely to significantly alter the fundamental composition of the SAC series.

Used with why or when

  • when: Each time someone new enters the stage the atmosphere is subtly altered and is altered again when they leave.

Infinitive complement

  • accommodate: The width of individual columns can be altered to accommodate longer or shorter fields.
  • suit: Answer: To an extent, our cards can be altered to suit your own personal taste.
  • reflect: The internal connectivity of the mesh is also altered to reflect this new local structure.
  • fit: Evolution requires species to alter to fit new surroundings.
  • co-ordinate: All designs can be altered to co-ordinate with your theme and color scheme.

Present participle complement

  • exist: In addition, you can add extra email boxes, or alter existing ones via a simple window.

Preposition: without

  • permission: We ask only that it not be altered without permission, sold, or used for commercial purposes.

Browse dictionary entries near alter

  1. Altdorf
  2. altazimuth
  3. altarpiece
  4. altar rail
  5. altar boy
  6. altar
  7. Altamira
  8. Altair
  9. Altaic
  10. Alta
  1. alter ego
  2. alter idem
  3. alteration
  4. alterative
  5. altercate
  6. altercation
  7. altered
  8. alterity
  9. alternant
  10. alternate