alterverb
uk/ˈɒl.tər/us/ˈɑːl.tɚ/alter verb (CHANGE)
B2 [ I or T ] to change something, usually slightly, or to cause the characteristics of something to change:
We've had to alter some of our plans.
Although the cost of making phone calls is going up, the charge for connecting to the internet will not alter.
Giving up our car has radically altered our lifestyle.
[ T ] to change the size of clothes so that they fit better:
I took the coat back to the shop to have it altered.
More examples
- Even a clear finish will alter the colour of wood slightly.
- These are radical changes which will alter the complexion of the British contemporary dance scene.
- You can alter the whole appearance of a room just by lighting it in a certain way.
- Closing the factory would irrevocably alter the character of the local community for the worse.
- Drugs can alter your perception of reality.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Changing
- a new broom sweeps clean idiom
- about-turn
- alternate
- alternation
- bastardize
- convert
- fluid
- move on
- move the goalposts idiom
- move with the times idiom
- new
- new broom
- onto
- reverse
- swing
- transfigure
- transform
- transitional
- transmogrify
- transmute
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alter verb (REMOVE ORGANS)
[ T ] US polite word for castrate or spay
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Zoology: veterinary medicine
- anthrax
- castrate
- cattery
- collar
- delouse
- destroy
- distemper
- foam
- foot-and-mouth
- froth
- geld
- hoof-and-mouth
- leptospirosis
- myxomatosis
- put sth down 1
- quarantine
- rabid
- rabies
- vet
- veterinarian
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