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alter definition

al·ter (ôl′tər)

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

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

alter Usage Examples

Object

  • ego: As you develop your alter ego, the world reacts to you and your actions.

Modifying Another Word

  • radically: The outside of the Church was also radically altered.

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.

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.
alter usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"alter." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/alter>

APA Style

alter. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/alter

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