Alter definition

ôltər

Words form:

Frequency:

To make different in details but not in substance; modify.

verb

To become different; change; vary.

verb

To change or make different; modify.

Altered my will.

verb

To change or become different.

verb

The definition of alter means to make something different without completely changing it.

An example of alter is to cut a few inches off the bottom of a dress to make it shorter.

verb

To tailor clothes to make them fit.

verb

To change the form or structure of.

verb

(intransitive) To become different.

verb

To change or become different.

verb

To castrate, neuter or spay (a dog or other animal).

verb

To adjust (a garment) for a better fit.

verb

To resew parts of (a garment) for a better fit.

verb

To castrate or spay.

verb

To castrate or spay an animal, such as a cat or a dog.

verb

To castrate or spay (an animal, such as a cat or a dog).

verb

Origin of alter

Middle English alteren from Old French alterer from Medieval Latin alterāre from Latin alter other al-¹ in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Old French alterer (French altérer), from Medieval Latin alterare (“to make other”), from Latin alter (“the other”), from al- (seen in alius (“other”), alienus (“of another”), etc.; see alias, alien, etc.) + compar. suffix -ter.

From Wiktionary