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2017 Word of the Year

change

[cheynj] /tʃeɪndʒ/
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verb (used with object), changed, changing.
1.
to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one's name; to change one's opinion;
to change the course of history.
2.
to transform or convert (usually followed by into):
The witch changed the prince into a toad.
3.
to substitute another or others for; exchange for something else, usually of the same kind:
She changed her shoes when she got home from the office.
4.
to give and take reciprocally; interchange:
to change places with someone.
5.
to transfer from one (conveyance) to another:
You'll have to change planes in Chicago.
6.
to give or get an equivalent amount of money in lower denominations in exchange for:
to change a five-dollar bill.
7.
to give or get foreign money in exchange for:
to change dollars into francs.
8.
to remove and replace the covering or coverings of:
to change a bed.
9.
to remove a dirty diaper from (a baby) and replace it with a clean one:
new parents, learning to change a baby.
verb (used without object), changed, changing.
10.
to become different:
Overnight the nation's mood changed.
11.
to become altered or modified:
Colors change if they are exposed to the sun.
12.
to become transformed or converted (usually followed by into):
The toad changed back into a prince.
13.
to pass gradually into (usually followed by to or into):
Summer changed to autumn.
14.
to switch or to make an exchange:
If you want to sit next to the window, I'll change with you.
15.
to transfer between trains or other conveyances:
We can take the local and change to an express at the next stop.
16.
to remove one's clothes and put on different clothes:
She changed into jeans.
17.
(of the moon) to pass from one phase to another.
18.
(of the voice) to become deeper in tone; come to have a lower register:
The boy's voice began to change when he was thirteen.
noun
19.
the act or fact of changing; fact of being changed:
They are pleased by the change in their son's behavior.
20.
a transformation or modification; alteration:
They noticed the change in his facial expression.
21.
a variation or deviation:
a change in the daily routine.
22.
the substitution of one thing for another:
We finally made the change to an oil-burning furnace.
23.
variety or novelty:
Let's try a new restaurant for a change.
24.
the passing from one place, state, form, or phase to another: a change of seasons;
social change.
25.
Jazz. harmonic progression from one tonality to another; modulation.
26.
the supplanting of one thing by another:
We need a total change of leadership.
27.
anything that is or may be substituted for another.
28.
a fresh set of clothing.
29.
money given in exchange for an equivalent of higher denomination.
30.
a balance of money that is returned when the sum tendered in payment is larger than the sum due.
31.
coins of low denomination.
32.
any of the various sequences in which a peal of bells may be rung.
33.
Also, 'change. British. exchange (def 10).
34.
Obsolete. changefulness; caprice.
Verb phrases
35.
change off,
  1. to take turns with another, as at doing a task.
  2. to alternate between two tasks or between a task and a rest break.
Idioms
36.
change front, Military. to shift a military force in another direction.
37.
change hands. hand (def 47).
38.
change one's mind, to change one's opinions or intentions.
39.
ring the changes,
  1. to perform all permutations possible in ringing a set of tuned bells, as in a bell tower of a church.
  2. to vary the manner of performing an action or of discussing a subject; repeat with variations.
Origin of change
Middle English
Old French
Late Latin
Latin
1175-1225
1175-1225; (v.) Middle English cha(u)ngen < Anglo-French, Old French changer < Late Latin cambiāre, Latin cambīre to exchange; (noun) Middle English cha(u)nge < Anglo-French, Old French, noun derivative of the v.
Related forms
changedness
[cheyn-jid-nis, cheynjd-] /ˈtʃeɪn dʒɪd nɪs, ˈtʃeɪndʒd-/ (Show IPA), noun
unchanged, adjective
unchanging, adjective
unchangingly, adverb
unchangingness, noun
Synonyms
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com
1. transmute, transform; vary, mutate; amend, modify. 3. replace, trade. 4. trade. 7. convert. 11. vary, mutate, amend. 19. transmutation, mutation, conversion, vicissitude. 22. exchange. 26, 27. replacement.
Antonyms
11. remain. 19. permanence.
Synonym Study
1.Change, alter both mean to make a difference in the state or condition of a thing or to substitute another state or condition. To change is to make a material difference so that the thing is distinctly different from what it was: to change one's opinion. To alter is to make some partial change, as in appearance, but usually to preserve the identity: to alter a dress, as by raising the hem (to change a dress would mean to put on a different one).
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2017.
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Examples from the Web for change
Contemporary Examples
Historical Examples

  • "Flattery to ourselves does not change the nature of what is wrong," answered Philothea.

    Philothea Lydia Maria Child

  • But to his relief he observed no change in the demeanor of his fellow-townsmen.

    Brave and Bold Horatio Alger

  • She was quite still, and he noted from the change in her soft breathing that she slept.

    The Spenders Harry Leon Wilson

  • I could of course consistently attribute my change to consideration for you.

    The Spenders Harry Leon Wilson

  • It has been very warm the last three days, and I hope much for a change.

    Explorations in Australia John Forrest
British Dictionary definitions for change

change

/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 by to 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.
when intr, 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, 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
12.
(informal) change feet, to put on different shoes, boots, etc
13.
change front
  1. (military) to redeploy (a force in the field) so that its main weight of weapons points in another direction
  2. to alter one's attitude, opinion, etc
14.
change hands, to pass from one owner to another
15.
change one's mind, to alter one's decision or opinion
16.
change one's tune, to alter one's attitude or tone of speech
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 in a 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; an 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, a profound change of outlook, opinion, etc
34.
(slang) get no change out of someone, not to be successful in attempts to exploit or extract information from someone
35.
ring the changes, to vary the manner or performance of an action that is often repeated
See also change down, changeover, change round, change up
Derived Forms
changeless, adjective
changelessly, adverb
changelessness, noun
changer, noun
Word Origin
C13: from Old French changier, from Latin cambīre to exchange, barter
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word Origin and History for change
v.

early 13c., "to substitute one for another; to make (something) other than what it was" (transitive); from late 13c. as "to become different" (intransitive), from Old French changier "to change, alter; exchange, switch," from Late Latin cambiare "to barter, exchange," from Latin cambire "to exchange, barter," of Celtic origin, from PIE root *kemb- "to bend, crook" (with a sense evolution perhaps from "to turn" to "to change," to "to barter"); cf. Old Irish camm "crooked, curved;" Middle Irish cimb "tribute," cimbid "prisoner;" see cant (n.2). Meaning "to take off clothes and put on other ones" is from late 15c. Related: Changed; changing. To change (one's) mind is from 1610s.

n.

c.1200, "act or fact of changing," from Anglo-French chaunge, Old French change "exchange, recompense, reciprocation," from changier (see change (v.)).

Meaning "a different situation" is from 1680s. Meaning "something substituted for something else" is from 1590s. The financial sense of "balance returned when something is paid for" is first recorded 1620s; hence to make change (1865). Bell-ringing sense is from 1610s. Related: changes. Figurative phrase change of heart is from 1828.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Slang definitions & phrases for change

change

noun

Money: a sizable chunk of change (1880s+)

Related Terms

loose change, piece of change, small potatoes

The Dictionary of American Slang, Fourth Edition by Barbara Ann Kipfer, PhD. and Robert L. Chapman, Ph.D.
Copyright (C) 2007 by HarperCollins Publishers.
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Idioms and Phrases with change

change

also see:
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Word Value for change

12
14
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