cache information close 

change Hear it!

change definition

change (c̸hānj)

transitive verb changed, changing chang′·ing

  1. to put or take (a thing) in place of something else; substitute for, replace with, or transfer to another of a similar kind to change one's clothes, to change jobs
  2. to give and receive reciprocally; exchange; switch let's change seats
    1. to cause to become different; alter; transform; convert success changed him
    2. to undergo a variation of leaves change color
  3. to give or receive the equivalent of (a coin or bank note) in currency of lower denominations or in foreign money
  4. to put a fresh, replacement covering, as a diaper or bedclothes, on

Etymology: ME changen < OFr changier < LL cambiare < L cambire, to exchange, barter < Celt (as in OIr camb) < IE base *kamb-, to bend, crook (> Welsh cam, Bret kamm, crooked)

intransitive verb

    1. to become different; alter; vary the scene changes
    2. to undergo alteration or replacement
  1. to pass from one phase to another, as the moon
  2. to become lower in range: said specif. of the male voice at puberty
  3. to leave one train, bus, etc. and board another
  4. to put on other clothes
  5. to make an exchange

noun

  1. the act or process of substitution, alteration, or variation
  2. absence of monotony; variety
  3. something that is or may be substituted; something of the same kind but new or fresh
  4. another set of clothes, esp. a fresh set to put on
    1. money returned as the difference between the price of something bought and the bill or coin of larger denomination given in payment
    2. a number of coins or bills whose total value equals a single larger coin or bill
    3. small coins
  5. a place where merchants meet to do business; exchange
    also written 'change
  6. Bell Ringing any pattern or order in which the bells may be rung
change Idioms

change off

to take turns

ring the changes

  1. to ring a set of bells with all possible variations
  2. to do or say a thing in many and various ways

the change

Informal menopause

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.
Related Discussions (3)
TopicRepliesLatest Post
How to change the encoding162 weeks ago
"change a letter" game16 years ago
US Climate Change Research Chief on BBC139 years ago

Browse Forums