Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense changes, present participle changing, past tense, past participle changed
1. variable noun
If there is a changein something, it becomes different.
The ambassador appealed for a change in U.S. policy. [+ in]
What is needed is a change of attitude on the part of architects. [+ of]
There are going to have to be some drastic changes.
...a passionate, eloquent campaigner for political change in her home country.
This is a time of change for the corporation.
Synonyms: alteration, innovation, transformation, modification More Synonyms of change
2. See also sea change
3. singular noun
If you say that something is a change or makes a change, you mean that it is enjoyable because it is different from what you are used to.
[approval]
It is a complex system, but it certainly makes a change.
Do you feel like you could do with a change?
4. verb
If you changefrom one thing to another, you stop using or doing the first one and start using or doing the second.
His doctor increased the dosage but did not change to a different medication. [VERB + to]
He changed from voting against to abstaining. [VERB + from]
5. verb
When something changes or when you change it, it becomes different.
We are trying to detect and understand how the climates change. [VERB]
In the union office, the mood gradually changed from resignation to rage. [VERBfrom noun to noun]
She has now changed into a happy, self-confident woman. [VERB + into]
They should change the law to make it illegal to own replica weapons. [VERB noun]
Trees are changing colour earlier than last year. [VERB noun]
He is a changed man since you left. [VERB-ed]
A changing world has put pressures on the corporation. [VERB-ing]
[Also V n into n]
Synonyms: alter, reform, transform, adjust More Synonyms of change
6. verb
To change something means to replace it with something new or different.
I paid £80 to have my car radio fixed and I bet all they did was change a fuse. [VERB noun]
If you want to change your doctor there are two ways of doing it. [VERB noun]
Change is also a noun.
A change of leadership alone will not be enough. [+ of]
7. verb
When you change your clothes or change, you take some or all of your clothes off and put on different ones.
Ben had merely changed his shirt. [VERB noun]
They had allowed her to shower and change. [VERB]
I changed into a tracksuit. [VERB + into]
I've got to get changed first. I've got to put my uniform on. [getVERB-ed]
[Also V + out of] wear
8. countable noun
A change of clothes is an extra set of clothes that you take with you when you go to stay somewhere or to take part in an activity.
He stuffed a bag with a few changes of clothing. [+ of]
Synonyms: exchange, trade, conversion, swap More Synonyms of change
9. verb
When you change a bed or change the sheets, you take off the dirty sheets and put on clean ones.
After changing the bed, I would fall asleep quickly. [VERB noun]
I changed the sheets on your bed today. [VERB noun]
10. verb
When you change a baby or change its nappy or diaper, you take off the dirty one and put on a clean one.
She criticizes me for the way I feed or change him. [VERB noun]
He needs his nappy changed. [VERB-ed]
11. verb
When you change buses, trains, or planes or change, you get off one bus, train, or plane and get on to another in order to continue your journey.
At Glasgow I changed trains for Greenock. [VERB noun]
We were turned off the train at Hanover, where we had to change. [VERB]
12. verb
When you change gear or change into another gear, you move the gear lever on a car, bicycle, or other vehicle in order to use a different gear.
[British]
The driver tried to change gear, then swerved. [VERB noun]
He looked up into the mirror as he changed through his gears. [VERB preposition]
regional note: in AM, use shift
13. uncountable noun
Your change is the money that you receive when you pay for something with more money than itcosts because you do not have exactly the right amount of money.
'There's your change.'—'Thanks very much.'.
They told the shopkeeper to keep the change.
14. uncountable noun
Change is coins, rather than paper money.
Thieves ransacked the office, taking a sack of loose change.
The man in the store won't give him change for the phone unless he buys something. [+ for]
15. See also small change
16. uncountable noun
If you have changefor larger notes, bills, or coins, you have the same value in smaller notes, bills, or coins, which you cangive to someone in exchange.
The courier had change for a £10 note. [+ for]
See make change
17. verb
When you change money, you exchange it for the same amount of money in a different currency, or insmaller notes, bills, or coins.
You can expect to pay the bank a fee of around 1% to 2% every time you change money. [VERB noun]
Find an agency that will change one foreign currency directly into another. [VERB noun + into]
18.
See for a change
19. to change for the better
20. to change hands
21. a change of heart
22. to change your mind
23. to change places
24. to ring the changes
25. to change the subject
26. to change tack
27. to change your tune
28. to change for the worse
Phrasal verbs:
See change down
See change over
See change up
More Synonyms of change
change in British English
(tʃeɪndʒ)
verb
1.
to make or become different; alter
2. (transitive)
to replace with or exchange for another
to change one's name
3. (sometimes foll byto or into)
to transform or convert or be transformed or converted
4.
to give and receive (something) in return; interchange
to change places with someone
5. (transitive)
to give or receive (money) in exchange for the equivalent sum in a smaller denomination or different currency
6. (transitive)
to remove or replace the coverings of
to change a baby
7. (whenintr, may be foll by into or out of)
to put on other clothes
8. (intransitive)
(of the moon) to pass from one phase to the following one
9.
to operate (the gear lever of a motor vehicle) in order to alter the gear ratio
to change gear
10.
to alight from (one bus, train, etc) and board another
11. change face
12. change feet
13. change front
14. change hands
15. change one's mind
16. change one's tune
noun
17.
the act or fact of changing or being changed
18.
a variation, deviation, or modification
19.
the substitution of one thing for another; exchange
20.
anything that is or may be substituted for something else
21.
variety or novelty (esp in the phrase for a change)
I want to go to France for a change
22.
a different or fresh set, esp of clothes
23.
money given or received in return for its equivalent in a larger denomination or ina different currency
24.
the balance of money given or received when the amount tendered is larger than the amount due
25.
coins of a small denomination regarded collectively
26. (often capital) archaic
a place where merchants meet to transact business; exchange
27.
the act of passing from one state or phase to another
28.
the transition from one phase of the moon to the next
29.
the order in which a peal of bells may be rung
30. sport short for changeover (sense 3b)
31. slang
desirable or useful information
32. obsolete
fickleness or caprice
33. change of heart
34. get no change out of someone
35. ring the changes
Derived forms
changeless (ˈchangeless)
adjective
changelessly (ˈchangelessly)
adverb
changelessness (ˈchangelessness)
noun
changer (ˈchanger)
noun
Word origin
C13: from Old French changier, from Latin cambīre to exchange, barter
change in American English
(tʃeɪndʒ)
verb transitiveWord forms: changed or ˈchanging
1.
to put or take (a thing) in place of something else; substitute for, replace with,or transfer to another of a similar kind
to change one's clothes, to change jobs
2.
to give and receive reciprocally; exchange; switch
let's change seats
3.
a.
to cause to become different; alter; transform; convert
success changed him
b.
to undergo a variation of
leaves change color
4.
to give or receive the equivalent of (a coin or bank note) in currency of lower denominationsor in foreign money
5.
to put a fresh, replacement covering, as a diaper or bedclothes, on
verb intransitive
6.
a.
to become different; alter; vary
the scene changes
b.
to undergo alteration or replacement
7.
to pass from one phase to another, as the moon
8.
to become lower in range
said specif. of the male voice at puberty
9.
to leave one train, bus, etc. and board another
10.
to put on other clothes
11.
to make an exchange
noun
12.
the act or process of substitution, alteration, or variation
13.
absence of monotony; variety
14.
something that is or may be substituted; something of the same kind but new or fresh
15.
another set of clothes, esp. a fresh set to put on
16.
a.
money returned as the difference between the price of something bought and the bill or coin of larger denomination given in payment
b.
a number of coins or bills whose total value equals a single larger coin or bill
c.
small coins
17.
a place where merchants meet to do business; exchange
: also written 'change
18. [usually pl.]; BELL-RINGING
any pattern or order in which the bells may be rung
Idioms:
change off
ring the changes
the change
SYNONYMY NOTE: change denotes a making or becoming distinctly different and implies either a radical transmutationof character or replacement with something else [I'll change my shoes]; alter implies a partial change, as in appearance, so that the identity is preserved [to alter a garment]; vary suggests irregular or intermittent change [to vary one's reading]; modify implies minor change, often so as to limit or moderate [to modify the language of a report]; transform implies a change in form and now, usually, in nature or function [to transform matter into energy]; convert suggests more strongly change to suit a new function [to convert a barn into a house]
Word origin
ME changen < OFr changier < LL cambiare < L cambire, to exchange, barter < Celt (as in OIr camb) < IE base *kamb-, to bend, crook (> Welsh cam, Bret kamm, crooked)
change in Retail
(tʃeɪndʒ)
noun
(Retail: Customer accounts)
Change is the amount of money handed back to a customer when they have paid with bills or coins that total more than the amount due.
The sales clerk gave her change for a $10 bill.
The sales clerk gave the customer her change and put her purchases in a bag.
Change is the amount of money handed back to a customer when they have paid with bills orcoins that total more than the amount due.
More idioms containing
change
change hands
a leopard does not change its spots
chop and change
get no change out of someone
a change of heart
change horses in midstream
a sea change
change your tune
COBUILD Collocations
change
big change
career change
demographic change
drastic change
huge change
last-minute change
major change
minor change
necessary change
positive change
real change
significant change
social change
subtle change
sudden change
Examples of 'change' in a sentence
change
This coupon has no cash value and no change will be given.
The Sun (2016)
Those who have find that they cannot spend the money because little change is in circulation.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
See what is working well and the one small change that can make a wonderful difference.
The Sun (2016)
Then he did something that changed his life.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If the changes go through he would have unparalleled control of politics and society.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Oscar is one player who has certainly changed his tune.
The Sun (2016)
Political change was merely the means to that end.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Ask what changes you could make to help her feel warmer towards you and help her show affection.
The Sun (2016)
His colleagues are reassured to see the Neto they always knew, but they also detect a change.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
This coupon has no cash value and no change will be given.
The Sun (2016)
Your hotel will change money and may be cheaper than the banks.
Brines, Callum Collins Traveller - The Algarve (1993)
We need to change our attitude to drinks.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Your partner then changes something from your bit and carries on.
Bain, Roly Fools Rush In - A Call to Christian Clowning (1993)
You are either going to change things or you try to manage things.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This discomfort is caused by rapid air pressure changes within the cabin.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It is important to note that change has not stopped in boardrooms.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Yet this almost certainly reflects changes in diagnosis.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This was scaled down after the centre failed to detect any significant change in tidal patterns.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
There are four transfer windows to make changes.
The Sun (2012)
Political change is important but so is technology.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
What aspect of the tax system would you change?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We also learnt to change the passive language in our heads.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Wine and organisms both have very complex composition and change through time.
Michael Boulter EXTINCTION: Evolution and the End of Man (2002)
Buy-to-let investors would be well advised to take such demographic changes into account.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
No one suggested that he should change policy.
Max Hastings Nemesis: The Battle for Japan, 194445 (2007)
You just have to stay on top of the boat all the time and keep changing gears.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The scope and remit of public services may have to change so they can stay universal.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The biggest change was in the structure of my day.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The sums involved are loose change compared with the huge auction eight years ago.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The other approach is to adopt dietary changes gradually.
Shapiro, Jean Get the Best out of the Rest of Your Life (1990)
Yet for the most part such change has come slowly.
Wills, Christopher The Runaway Brain: the Evolution of Human Uniqueness (1993)
The government is consulting with the industry over how the sweeping changes will be put into effect.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
One is changing the world and the other is what risks are you prepared to expose yourself to?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Quotations
A state without the means of some change is without the means of its conservationEdmund BurkeReflections on the Revolution in France
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?Bible: Jeremiah
The more things change, the more they are the sameAlphonse KarrLes Guêpes
Change is not made without inconvenience, even from worse to betterSamuel JohnsonDictionary of the English Language
The old order changeth, yielding place to newAlfred, Lord TennysonThe Passing of Arthur
Philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point, however, is to change itKarl MarxTheses on Feuerbach
When it is not necessary to change, it is necessary not to changeLucius CaryDiscourses of Infallibility
Don't change horses in midstream
A change is as good as a rest
A new broom sweeps clean
In other languages
change
British English: change /tʃeɪndʒ/ NOUN
alteration If there is a change in something, it becomes different.
...a change in policy.
American English: change
Arabic: تغيير
Brazilian Portuguese: mudança
Chinese: 变化
Croatian: promjena
Czech: změna
Danish: forandring
Dutch: verandering
European Spanish: cambio
Finnish: muutos
French: changement
German: Änderung
Greek: αλλαγή
Italian: cambiamento
Japanese: 変化
Korean: 변화
Norwegian: endring
Polish: zmiana proces
European Portuguese: mudança
Romanian: schimbare
Russian: изменение
Latin American Spanish: cambio
Swedish: förändring
Thai: การเปลี่ยนแปลง
Turkish: değişiklik
Ukrainian: зміна
Vietnamese: thay đổi
British English: change /tʃeɪndʒ/ VERB
put on different clothes When you change, you put on different clothes.
He changed to go to the party.
American English: change
Arabic: يُغَيِّرُ
Brazilian Portuguese: trocar
Chinese: 改变
Croatian: presvući se
Czech: převléci se
Danish: forandre
Dutch: omkleden anders maken
European Spanish: cambiarse mudar
Finnish: muuttaa toisenlaiseksi, vaihtaa
French: changer
German: wechseln
Greek: αλλάζω
Italian: cambiarsi
Japanese: 変える
Korean: ...을 바꾸다
Norwegian: forandre
Polish: zmienić
European Portuguese: trocar
Romanian: a se schimba
Russian: переодевать
Latin American Spanish: cambiarse
Swedish: ändra
Thai: เปลี่ยน แลกเปลี่ยน
Turkish: değişmek
Ukrainian: перевдягатися
Vietnamese: thay quần áo
British English: change /tʃeɪndʒ/ VERB
become different When you change something, or when it changes, it becomes different.
The caterpillar changed into a butterfly.
American English: change
Arabic: يَتَغَيَّرُ
Brazilian Portuguese: mudar-se
Chinese: 变化
Croatian: promijeniti
Czech: změnit (se)
Danish: ændre (sig)
Dutch: veranderen anders worden
European Spanish: cambiar
Finnish: muuttua
French: changer
German: ändern (sich)
Greek: αλλάζω
Italian: cambiare
Japanese: 変わる
Korean: (...으로) 변하다
Norwegian: forandre
Polish: zmienić się
European Portuguese: mudar-se
Romanian: a se schimba
Russian: меняться
Latin American Spanish: convertir
Swedish: byta om
Thai: เปลี่ยน แลก
Turkish: değiştirmek
Ukrainian: змінювати
Vietnamese: thay đổi
British English: change /tʃeɪndʒ/ NOUN
moneyChange is the money that you get back when you pay too much for something.
American English: change
Arabic: البَاقي
Brazilian Portuguese: troco
Chinese: 零钱
Croatian: sitniš
Czech: drobnévrácené peníze
Danish: byttepenge
Dutch: wisselgeld
European Spanish: vuelta
Finnish: vaihtoraha
French: monnaiepièces
German: Wechselgeld
Greek: συνάλλαγμα
Italian: resto
Japanese: おつり
Korean: 거스름돈
Norwegian: veksel
Polish: reszta
European Portuguese: troco
Romanian: rest
Russian: сдача
Latin American Spanish: cambiodinero
Swedish: växel
Thai: เงินทอน
Turkish: bozuk para
Ukrainian: решта
Vietnamese: tiền lẻ
All related terms of 'change'
change up
When you change up , you move the gear lever in the vehicle you are driving in order to use a higher gear.
re-change
to change again
big change
If there is a change in something, it becomes different.
change down
When you change down , you move the gear lever in the vehicle you are driving in order to use a lower gear.
change face
to rotate the telescope of a surveying instrument through 180° horizontally and vertically, taking a second sighting of the same object in order to reduce error
change feet
to put on different shoes , boots , etc
change jobs
A job is the work that someone does to earn money.
change off
to take turns
change over
If you change over from one thing to another, you stop doing one thing and start doing the other.
huge change
If there is a change in something, it becomes different.
make change
If you make change , you give someone smaller notes, bills , or coins , in exchange for the same value of larger ones.
oil change
the replacement of dirty engine oil with clean engine oil
real change
If there is a change in something, it becomes different.
sea change
A sea change in someone's attitudes or behaviour is a complete change.
sex change
a change in a person's physical sexual characteristics to those of the opposite sex , often achieved by surgery
step change
A step change is a sudden or major change in the way that something happens or the way that someone behaves .
the change
→ menopause
career change
To change something means to replace it with something new or different.
change color
to become pale
change front
to redeploy (a force in the field) so that its main weight of weapons points in another direction
change habits
A habit is an action which is considered bad that someone does repeatedly and finds it difficult to stop doing.
change hands
if something changes hands , one person or organization gets it from another, usually by buying it
change point
a point to which a foresight and backsight are taken in levelling; turning point
change purse
A change purse is a very small bag that people keep their money in.
change round
to place in or adopt a different or opposite position
change things
You can use thing to refer to any object, feature , or event when you cannot, need not, or do not want to refer to it more precisely .
chord change
a movement from one chord to another
chump change
a small or insignificant amount of money
loose change
money in the form of coins suitable for small expenditures
major change
If there is a change in something, it becomes different.
minor change
If there is a change in something, it becomes different.
regime change
the transition from one political regime to another, esp through concerted political or military action
scene change
a change of scene in a theatre , where one set is dismantled and another is erected
short-change
If someone short-changes you, they do not give you enough change after you have bought something from them.
small change
Small change is coins of low value.
social change
If there is a change in something, it becomes different.
sound change
any phonetic or phonological change in spoken language, for example the replacement of one speech sound with another, or the loss of a particular sound
subtle change
If there is a change in something, it becomes different.
sudden change
If there is a change in something, it becomes different.
a sea change
a complete change in someone's attitudes or behaviour
change history
You can refer to the events of the past as history . You can also refer to the past events which concern a particular topic or place as its history.
change machine
a machine that provides smaller denomination coins or notes in exchange for larger ones
change-ringing
the art of bell-ringing in which a set of bells is rung in an established order which is then changed
climate change
Climate change refers to changes in the earth’s climate, especially the gradual rise in temperature caused by high levels of carbon dioxide and other gases .
costume change
a change of costume by an actor
drastic change
If there is a change in something, it becomes different.
for a change
If you say that you are doing something or something is happening for a change , you mean that you do not usually do it or it does not usually happen , and you are happy to be doing it or that it is happening.
positive change
If there is a change in something, it becomes different.
change behaviour
People's or animals' behaviour is the way that they behave . You can refer to a typical and repeated way of behaving as a behaviour .
change management
Change management is a style of management that aims to encourage organizations and individuals to deal effectively with the changes taking place in their work.
Chinese translation of 'change'
change
(tʃeɪndʒ)
vt
(= alter) 改变(變) (gǎibiàn)
⇒ You can't change human nature.你不可能改变人的本性。 (Nǐ bù kěnéng gǎibiàn rén de běnxìng.)
(= replace)[wheel, battery]换(換) (huàn)
⇒ Try changing the battery.试试换电池。 (shìshì huàn diànchí.)
[trains, buses]换(換) (huàn)
⇒ At Glasgow I changed trains for Greenock.我在格拉斯哥换火车去格林诺克。 (Wǒ zài Gélāsīgē huàn huǒchē qù Gélínnuòkè.)
[clothes]换(換) (huàn)
⇒ I'll just change my shirt.我要换衬衫。 (Wǒ yào huàn chènshān.)
[bed, sheets]更换(換) (gēnghuàn)
[job, address]更改 (gēnggǎi)
⇒ His doctor advised him to change his job.他的医生建议他换工作。 (Tā de yīshēng jiànyì tā huà gōngzuò.)
⇒ He has changed his address.他更改了他的地址。 (Tā gēnggǎile tā de dìzhǐ.)
(= put fresh nappy on)[baby]更换(換) (gēnghuàn)
(= replace)[nappy]换(換) (huàn)
⇒ She fed the baby and changed its nappy.她给婴儿喂了饭，换了尿布。 (Tā gěi yīng'ér wèile fàn, huànle niàobù.)
(= exchange)[money]兑(兌)换(換) (duìhuàn)
⇒ These places charge exorbitant rates for changing money.这些地方对换汇收取极高的手续费。 (Zhèxiē dìfang duì huànhuì shōuqǔ jígāo de shǒuxùfèi.)
(= transform)
to change sb/sth into sth将(將)某人/某物变(變)成某物 (jiāng mǒurén/mǒuwù biànchéng mǒuwù) (by magic) 将(將)某人/某物变(變)成某物 (jiāng mǒurén/mǒuwù biànchéng mǒuwù)
⇒ The witch changed him into a frog.女巫把他变成了一只青蛙。 (Nǚwū bǎ tā biànchéngle yī zhī qīngwā.)
vi
(= alter) 变(變)化 (biànhuà)
⇒ Little has changed since then.从那时至今没什么变化。 (Cóng nàshí zhìjīn méi shénme biànhuà.)
(= change clothes) 换(換)衣 (huànyī)
⇒ They allowed her to shower and change.他们允许她冲澡和换衣服。 (Tāmen yǔnxǔ tā chōngzǎo hé huàn yīfu.)
[traffic lights]变(變)色 (biànsè)
⇒ The lights changed to green.交通灯变绿了。 (Jiāotōngdēng biànlǜ le.)
给(給)某人10英镑(鎊)的零钱(錢) gěi mǒurén shí yīngbàng de língqián
1 (noun)
Definition
the fact of becoming different
They are going to have to make some drastic changes.
Synonyms
alteration
Her jacket and skirt were still awaiting alteration.
innovation
technological innovations of the industrial age
transformation
the transformation of an attic room into a study
modification
Relatively minor modifications were required.
mutation
the film's mutation from domestic drama into courtroom thriller
metamorphosis
his metamorphosis from a republican to a democrat
permutation
an infinite variety of permutations
transmutation
difference
the vast difference in size
revolution
a revolution in ship design and propulsion
transition
a period of transition
vicissitude
stiffening himself to withstand life's vicissitudes
2 (noun)
Definition
variety or novelty
It makes a nice change to see you in a good mood for once.
Synonyms
variety
people who like variety in their lives and enjoy trying new things
break (informal)
departure
This album is a considerable departure from her previous work.
variation
Every day without variation my grandfather ate a plate of ham.
novelty
diversion (British)
a diversion from his fantasy-themed movies
whole new ball game (informal)
Opposites
stability
,
uniformity
,
permanence
,
monotony
,
constancy
,
invariability
3 (noun)
Definition
a different set, esp. of clothes
He stuffed a bag with a few changes of clothing.
Synonyms
exchange
a free exchange of information
trade
It wouldn't exactly have been a fair trade.
conversion
the conversion of disused rail lines into cycle routes
swap
If she ever fancies a job swap, I could be interested.
substitution
last-minute substitutions
interchange
the interchange of ideas from different disciplines
4 (noun)
Definition
coins of a small denomination
Do you have any change for the parking meter?
Synonyms
coins
money
A lot of money that you pay goes back to the distributor.
small change
loose change
wonga (slang)
kembla (Australian, slang)
1 (verb)
Definition
to make or become different
They should change the law to make it illegal to own replica weapons.
Synonyms
alter
reform
his plans to reform the country's economy
transform
A cheap table can be transformed by an attractive cover.
adjust
To attract investors the country has adjusted its tax laws.
moderate
revise
He soon came to revise his opinion.
modify
They agreed to modify their recruitment policy.
remodel
reorganize
restyle
convert
By converting the loft, they were able to have two extra bedrooms.
Opposites
keep
,
hold
2 (verb)
Definition
to make or become different
We are trying to detect and understand how the climate changes.
Synonyms
shift
The wind shifted and the helicopter lurched.
vary
women whose moods vary according to their menstrual cycle
transform
the speed at which your body transforms food into energy
alter
They have never altered their programmes.
modify
diversify
Manufacturers are encouraged to diversify.
fluctuate
Body temperatures can fluctuate when you are ill.
mutate
Overnight, the gossip begins to mutate into headlines.
metamorphose
She had been metamorphosed by the war.
transmute
She ceased to think as anger transmuted into passion.
Opposites
remain
,
stay
3 (verb)
Definition
to give and receive (something) in return
Can we change it for another if it doesn't work properly?
Synonyms
exchange
We exchanged addresses.
trade
They traded land for goods and money.
replace
Replace that liquid with salt, sugar and water.
substitute
They were substituting violence for dialogue.
swap
Some hostages were swapped for convicted prisoners.
interchange
She likes to interchange furniture at home with stock from the shop.
Quotations
A state without the means of some change is without the means of its conservation [Edmund Burke – Reflections on the Revolution in France]Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? [Bible: Jeremiah]The more things change, the more they are the same [Alphonse Karr – Les Guêpes]Change is not made without inconvenience, even from worse to better [Samuel Johnson – Dictionary of the English Language]The old order changeth, yielding place to new [Alfred, Lord Tennyson – The Passing of Arthur]Philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point, however, is to change it [Karl Marx – Theses on Feuerbach]When it is not necessary to change, it is necessary not to change [Lucius Cary – Discourses of Infallibility]
proverbs
Don't change horses in midstreamA change is as good as a restA new broom sweeps clean
Additional synonyms
in the sense of adjust
To attract investors the country has adjusted its tax laws.
Synonyms
change,
order,
reform,
fix,
arrange,
alter,
adapt,
revise,
modify,
set,
regulate,
amend,
reconcile,
remodel,
redress,
rectify,
recast,
customize,
make conform
in the sense of conversion
Definition
a change or adaptation
the conversion of disused rail lines into cycle routes
Synonyms
change,
transformation,
metamorphosis,
transfiguration,
transmutation,
transmogrification (humorous)
in the sense of convert
Definition
to change or adapt
By converting the loft, they were able to have two extra bedrooms.