Meaning & use
alter
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To make something different in some way without changing it completely.
Grammar: Takes an object: alter the plan.
Patterns
- alter something
We had to alter the plan because of the weather.
The new law alters the way taxes are collected.
She altered the recipe by adding less sugar.
verbintransitiveformal
To become different over time.
Grammar: No object: the situation has altered.
Patterns
- alter over time
The landscape has altered since I was a child.
His attitude altered after the accident.
Little altered in the village over the years.
verbtransitive
To change the size or shape of clothing so it fits better.
Grammar: A common sewing use: alter a dress.
Patterns
- alter a garment
The tailor altered the sleeves of the jacket.
I need to have these trousers altered.
She altered the dress herself.
verbtransitiveAmericaneuphemistic
To remove the reproductive organs of an animal, as with a pet.
Grammar: Mainly American; usually in passive form.
Patterns
- have a pet altered
The shelter requires that every cat be altered before adoption.
They had their dog altered last spring.
The vet altered the kitten.
Word forms
| third person singular | alters |
|---|---|
| past tense | altered |
| past participle | altered |
| -ing form | altering |
Common combinations
- alter the course
- The decision altered the course of history.
- alter a plan
- They altered the plan at the last minute.
- alter your appearance
- He grew a beard to alter his appearance.
- drastically alter
- The storm drastically altered the coastline.
- alter clothing
- The shop will alter clothing for a small fee.
- alter the outcome
- Nothing could alter the outcome.
Synonyms and how they differ
- change
- Change is the everyday word and can mean a complete swap, but alter usually means a partial change.
- modify
- Modify suggests a deliberate small adjustment, often to improve or fit a purpose.
- adjust
- Adjust means a slight change to get a better result, whereas alter is broader.
- transform
- Transform suggests a total change, which is stronger than alter.
Opposites
Word family
- alteration noun
- a change or adjustment
- altered adjective
- changed from the original
- alterable adjective
- able to be changed
- unaltered adjective
- not changed
Commonly confused: alter or altar?
alter vs altar
Altar is a table in a church or temple used for religious ceremonies. It sounds the same as alter but is a different word.
Practice
Which word fits: The tailor will ___ the jacket so it fits better?
Choose one answer.
Alter means to change the size or shape of clothing. Altar is a homophone for a religious table, so it fails here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “alter”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.