Definition of 'alter'
Video: pronunciation of
alter
Word Frequency
alter in British English
verb
1.
to make or become different in some respect; change
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
alterable (ˈalterable) adjective
alterably (ˈalterably)
adverb
alterability (ˌalteraˈbility)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Old French alterer, from Medieval Latin alterāre to change, from Latin alter other
Word Frequency
alter in American English
verb transitive
verb intransitive
4.
to become different; change; vary
SIMILAR WORDS: change
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
alterable (ˈalterable)
adjective
Word Frequency
alter in American English
(ˈɔltər)
transitive verb
1.
to alter a coat
to alter a will
to alter course
2.
to castrate or spay
intransitive verb
3.
to change; become different or modified
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
alterer noun
Word origin
[1350–1400; ME ‹ OF alterer ‹ LL alterāre to change, worsen, deriv. of L alter other]Word Frequency
alter. in American English
abbreviation
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Examples of 'alter' in a sentence
alter
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
Trends of
alter
View usage for:
In other languages
alter
British English: alter
/ˈɔːltə/ VERB
If something alters, or if you alter it, it changes.
Not much had altered in the village.
- American English: alter /ˈɔltər/
- Arabic: يُبَدِّلُ
- Brazilian Portuguese: alterar
- Chinese: 改变
- Croatian: promijeniti
- Czech: změnit (se)
- Danish: ændre
- Dutch: veranderen
- European Spanish: alterar
- Finnish: muuttaa toisenlaiseksi
- French: altérer
- German: ändern
- Greek: αλλάζω
- Italian: modificare
- Japanese: 変更する
- Korean: ...을 바꾸다
- Norwegian: endre
- Polish: zmienić
- European Portuguese: alterar
- Romanian: a schimba"a altera,
- Russian: изменять
- Latin American Spanish: alterar
- Swedish: ändra
- Thai: เปลี่ยนแปลง, ปรับเปลี่ยน
- Turkish: değiştirmek
- Ukrainian: змінювати
- Vietnamese: thay đổi
Browse alphabetically
alter
Related terms of
alter
Source
Definition of alter from the Collins English Dictionary
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
wait or weight?
Which version is correct?
tide or tied?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
tide
tied
The was going out, and the sand was smooth and glittering.
principal or principle?
Which version is correct?
oar or ore?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
oar
ore
He was using the other as a rudder.
coffee or tea?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
tea
coffee
something is not your cup of
Your score:
Word of the day
blogosphere
In computer technology , the blogosphere or the blogsphere is all the weblogs on the internet, considered collectively.
Latest Word Submissions
A little bird told me… 7 animal idioms
It’s new words time at Collins Dictionary and this month we see the addition of words like fingerling, net zero and emotional support animal. This month, there were a few animal-related additions.
Read more
9 new words added to Collins Dictionary
Here are nine words recently added to Collins English Dictionary online. The words we use reflect the preoccupations of our time, and with the possibility of holidays and travel returning to the agenda, the dictionary welcomes ‘capsule hotel’, ‘tourist tax’, and the American informal shortening ‘vacay’ (from ‘vacation’).
Read more
New Conversations Day
The twelfth of July marks New Conversations Day. If you haven’t heard of it, don’t fret or feel afflicted by FOMO, for this is the first such day – ever.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Join the Collins community
All the latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month.
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
miner or minor?
Which version is correct?
cellar or seller?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
cellar
seller
The box had been stored in the at the family home.
stake or steak?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
steak
stake
The only thing on the menu was and kidney pie.
bridal or bridle?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
bridle
bridal
Take the to pieces to give it a really good clean.
muscles or mussels?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
mussels
muscles
Add the and put the lid on.
Your score: