change
verb (transitive)
UK/tʃeɪndʒ/US/tʃeɪndʒ/
To make or become different; to alter, modify, or transform something in form, nature, or appearance.
Example Sentences
She decided to change her hairstyle for the summer.
Please change the settings on the device to enable notifications.
Over time, the landscape will change as new buildings are constructed.
He wants to change his eating habits to improve his health.
Sometimes it takes a significant event to motivate someone to change their perspective.
It’s amazing how quickly the weather can change in this region.
After receiving feedback, the author worked diligently to change several parts of the manuscript, ensuring the story flowed more naturally and appealed to a broader audience.
As the company grew, the leadership team realized they needed to change their internal processes to accommodate more employees and maintain efficiency.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
noun (countable)
UK/tʃeɪndʒ/US/tʃeɪndʒ/
Coins or small denominations of money given or received in exchange for a larger sum; also, the balance of money returned to someone who has paid more than the exact price.
Example Sentences
I paid with a £20 note and received £5 in change.
He emptied his pockets and scattered the loose change on the table.
Could you give me change for a five-dollar bill?
The cashier handed him the receipt along with his change.
The tip jar was full of small change at the end of the day.
She keeps extra change in her car for parking meters.
After making a quick stop at the convenience store, she realized she only had larger bills and needed some change for the laundromat, prompting her to break the note at the checkout.
Although they tried to pay by card, the small café accepted cash only, so they scrambled to gather enough change from their pockets to cover the bill.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
A shift in state or condition leading to something different.This verb or noun conveys the idea of making or experiencing something become different. In everyday contexts, you can use it to describe alterations, transitions, or replacements. For example, “I need to change my clothes after the workout” refers to swapping one set for another. “The climate is changing” signals a broader, ongoing transformation, while “We need to change the way we approach this problem” suggests adjusting methods or perspectives. As a noun, it can mean coins received after a purchase (“Keep the change”), or an adjustment in circumstances (“The new policy represents a major change in management style”). To use it effectively, pair it with details about what is shifting and why—whether you’re talking about a small everyday task, like changing a lightbulb, or a major life event, like changing careers. Clarity stems from specifying what aspect is evolving, who or what is involved, and what prompts the transition. Whether you’re discussing personal habits, large-scale reforms, or simple replacements, “change” underscores movement away from the old toward something new, reflecting evolution, progress, or adaptation in various spheres of life.
Alternatives
Depending on your goal, various synonyms or related expressions can stand in for this term. Words like “alter,” “modify,” or “shift” convey the idea of making adjustments without necessarily suggesting total transformation. “Transform” implies a more drastic or complete overhaul, often used in contexts like personal growth, societal shifts, or technological breakthroughs. Meanwhile, “adapt” can highlight the process of adjusting to external circumstances. If you want to stress replacement, “swap,” “switch,” or “exchange” might be more precise. Phrases like “undergo a transition” or “experience a shift” can enrich academic or formal writing about evolving conditions or trends. In discussions that focus on improvement, “upgrade” or “improve” might be apt. “Metamorphose” or “evolve” may sound more dramatic, suitable for poetic or highly expressive contexts. Choose your synonym thoughtfully based on how radically things are shifting, the tone (casual versus formal), and the scope of the transition. By selecting language that captures the degree and nature of the shift—incremental, partial, or complete—you keep your writing or speech vivid and well-tailored to your subject matter, ensuring you convey the precise impact and scale of the evolution you’re describing.
Writing
In written communication, this concept can be used to spotlight progress, mark pivotal moments, or illustrate evolving contexts. When drafting persuasive essays, for instance, you might emphasize how changing certain policies could solve societal challenges: “Implementing these measures would bring meaningful change to community welfare.” In historical or analytical pieces, you could examine how major shifts—such as economic booms or technological revolutions—changed the course of entire civilizations. If you’re crafting fiction, you might showcase a character’s transformation: “The sudden betrayal spurred her to change her entire outlook on life.” Use supporting details, data, or anecdotes to reinforce why a particular change matters—whether it’s a small behavioral tweak or a sweeping reform. Avoid overusing the word by weaving in synonyms like “shift” or “transition,” thus maintaining variety and nuance. Above all, anchor each mention in a clear context: specify who or what is affected, how the shift unfolds, and what catalyzes it. By doing so, your writing captures the dynamic essence of change, illustrating its roles as both a challenge to established norms and a driving force behind growth or innovation.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, you might say, “Let’s change our dinner plans,” when switching from one restaurant choice to another. In this context, the term is a quick, unpretentious way of noting a new direction or approach. Friends often talk about changing their looks, like getting a new hairstyle or outfit, to freshen up their style. You might reassure someone by encouraging them to change an unhelpful habit, or you could use it to share personal updates—“I decided to change my major at college.” It’s also common when discussing small tasks—“Hang on while I change the TV channel.” People often say, “Change is hard,” or “Change is good,” reflecting a mix of anticipation and anxiety about whether a new path will bring improvements or difficulties. Jokes about “spare change” might surface if someone is short on coins for a vending machine. Whether describing everyday switches or bigger life decisions, “change” remains a concise, easy-to-grasp term for capturing the natural shifts people encounter daily. It helps us articulate how we juggle new routines, readjust plans, and adapt on the fly in a world that’s always moving.
Etymology
This term descends from the Old French “changer,” itself derived from the Latin “cambiare,” meaning “to exchange or barter.” In earlier centuries, the focus was often on swapping one item for another, reflecting the trade practices that shaped medieval and Renaissance economies. Over time, its meaning broadened beyond literal trades to include shifts in form, state, or condition, eventually filtering into nearly every domain: social, economic, technological, and personal. As global languages evolved, the word retained its core sense of switching out or transitioning from a previous condition, but also gained symbolic weight, weaving into discussions of transformation and growth. Today, you’ll find references to it across cultures, from proverbs lauding adaptation to scientific theories that center on evolution and metamorphosis. It remains a quintessential term that threads through personal reinvention, historical revolutions, and everyday tasks alike. This enduring relevance underscores how integral the concept of “change” is to human experience, capturing both the anxiety and the promise that come with letting go of the old and embracing the new.
