Modify Definition

mŏdə-fī

modified, modifies, modifying

verb

modified, modifies, modifying

To change or alter; esp., to change slightly or partially in character, form, etc.

Webster's New World

To limit or reduce slightly; moderate.

To modify a penalty.

Webster's New World

To make less extreme, severe, or strong.

Refused to modify her stand on the issue.

American Heritage

To limit the meaning of; qualify.

“old” modifies “man” in “old man”

Webster's New World

To be modified.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Origin of Modify

From Middle English modifien, from French modifier, from Latin modificare (“to limit, control, regulate, deponent"), from modificari (“to measure off, set bound to, moderate"), from modus (“measure") + facere (“to make"); see mode.

From Wiktionary
Middle English modifien from Old French modifier from Latin modificāre to measure, limit modus measure med- in Indo-European roots -ficāre -fy

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition