alter
verb (transitive)
UK/ˈɔːltər/US/ˈɔːltɚ/
to change or make different; modify
Example Sentences
She decided to alter her hairstyle for a fresh look.
The tailor will alter the dress to fit her measurements perfectly.
They had to alter their plans due to unexpected weather conditions.
The company altered its policy to better serve its customers.
He altered the document to include the latest information.
The artist altered the painting by adding more vibrant colors.
Due to budget cuts, the school had to alter its curriculum.
She altered the recipe to make it healthier by reducing sugar.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
Means to change or modify something in form or function.To use this term effectively, identify scenarios where something needs to be changed without fundamentally discarding or replacing it. For instance, you might alter a plan by revising its details to address new circumstances. Or, in a creative context, you could alter a design to accommodate different requirements. The verb is commonly used when the original framework remains mostly intact, but specific components need refinement or adjustment. In professional settings, you might alter business proposals before presenting them to stakeholders. In everyday life, you could alter your daily schedule when unexpected tasks arise. The essential concept is making controlled, sometimes subtle, changes to suit evolving needs or preferences without overhauling the entire thing.
Alternatives
If you find yourself using this verb repetitively, there are alternatives that can convey similar meanings. For instance, “modify” implies making partial changes while maintaining the core essence, often used in technical or official contexts. “Adjust” highlights smaller, more incremental shifts that fine-tune or recalibrate existing conditions, particularly useful when dealing with delicate or detailed tasks. Another option is “amend,” which suggests a formal correction or improvement, commonly found in legal and written documents. “Revise” focuses on reworking and updating content or processes to improve or correct them. Meanwhile, “transform” indicates a more radical or comprehensive shift, often resulting in a distinct outcome from the original. By diversifying your vocabulary with these synonyms, you can more precisely express the degree and nature of the change, catering to the context in which you are writing or speaking. This nuanced use of language can elevate the clarity and precision of your message, whether in a technical report or a casual conversation.
Writing
When writing, especially in academic or professional contexts, clarity around how something is modified is crucial. Employing the word in clear, precise statements helps your readers grasp the extent and nature of a change. For example, instead of saying, “I made changes to the methodology,” you could write, “I altered the sampling procedure to include a broader demographic.” Such specificity and directness make your text more transparent and credible. In more creative or narrative works, illustrating the reason behind the alteration adds depth to your writing. For instance, a character might alter their daily routine due to personal growth or external pressures, revealing their motivations and emotions in the process. By thoughtfully incorporating synonyms where appropriate—like “revise,” “tweak,” or “modify”—you can keep your writing dynamic and engaging. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure your audience understands precisely what was changed and why it was necessary, highlighting your awareness of context and your ability to communicate effectively.
Casual Conversation
In everyday speech, you might say you want to alter your weekend plans or alter the seasoning in a recipe. The idea is to communicate that you’re tweaking something rather than starting completely anew. Keeping your tone light and conversational, you might opt for simpler synonyms such as “change,” “tweak,” or “adjust” in casual settings. For instance, at home, you might mention to your family that you’re altering the layout of the living room to make it more spacious. At work, you might casually tell a colleague you’re altering the project timeline because of a last-minute request. These small modifications in how you use the term, or its alternatives, can make your conversations flow more naturally. By balancing clarity with a relaxed tone, you can clearly express the nature of the changes you’re making without sounding overly formal.
Etymology
The verb traces its lineage back to the Latin term “alterare,” meaning “to make other.” Through Old French influence, it eventually entered Middle English, retaining the sense of making something different without discarding its essence. Historically, the notion of ‘alteration’ has been central to many domains, from fashion adjustments to political reforms. Tailors used it to describe slight modifications in garments, while philosophers used it to describe shifts in ideas or states of being. Over time, “alter” maintained its core meaning across various contexts, always implying adjustments that preserve a certain continuity. One interesting fact is its versatility in usage: while some verbs that mean “change” can be very specific (e.g., “refine,” “remodel”), “alter” can flexibly apply to both tangible and intangible subjects—from altering a contract to altering one’s attitude. This broad applicability has helped it remain a staple in English vocabulary for centuries, bridging formal, technical, and everyday contexts with ease.