change */*/*/

I UK [tʃeɪndʒ] / US verb
Word forms "change":
present tense I/you/we/they change he/she/it changes present participle changing past tense changed past participle changed

Other ways of saying change:

alter a more formal word for "change": His election could alter the balance of power in the region. adjust to change something slightly so that it is exactly the way you want it: You adjust the volume using the remote control. ♦ Can you adjust the height of the seat? adapt to change something to deal with a specific situation: The recipes can be adapted for vegetarians. ♦ They need to adapt their military forces to the needs of the post-Cold War situation. convert to change something so that it can be used for a different purpose: We're going to convert the spare room into a study. modify to make small changes, for example to a machine or system, in order to make something suitable for a different situation: The exhaust system has to be modified to meet new emission standards. transform to change something completely so that it looks or works much better: Putting in a larger kitchen has completely transformed the house. ♦ new discoveries that could transform the way we treat cancer vary to make continuous or repeated changes to something: It's important to vary your diet.

1) [intransitive/transitive] to become different, or to make someone or something different

Some things never change.

After a few days the weather changed dramatically.

The law was changed in 1989.

the changing role of women in the workplace

change little (= not very much):

The school has changed little since it was built 30 years ago.

change (something) from something to something:

The town has changed from a small fishing port to a bustling tourist attraction.

a) if the wind changes, it starts coming from a different direction

b) to become a different colour

change from something to something:

The signal changed from green to red.

change colour:

The leaves are already starting to change colour.

•

Collocations:
Adverbs frequently used with change
▪  completely, considerably, dramatically, drastically, fundamentally, radically, significantly

2) [intransitive/transitive] to stop doing one thing and start doing something different

Dave said he might be changing jobs.

change (something) to something:

I changed the order to once a year instead of quarterly.

Consumers are increasingly changing to low-fat milk.

3) [transitive] to replace something with a new or different thing

I'm sick of these curtains – let's change them.

Can you help me change a tyre?

a) if you change a bed or change the sheets, you put clean sheets, covers etc on the bed

b) if you change a baby or change its nappy, you take off the dirty nappy and put a clean one on

c) British if you change something you have bought, you take it back to the shop and get a different one

I'm going to take that shirt back and change it: I don't like the colour.

change something for something:

Why don't you change it for something else?

d) if you change someone who performs a service for you, you use someone else

Have you changed your hairdresser?

4)

a) [transitive] to exchange money from one country for money with the same value from another country

change something for/into something:

I need to change some dollars into pesos.

b) to exchange a note or coin of high value for notes or coins of lower value

Can anyone change a ten pound note?

5) [intransitive/transitive] to take off the clothes or a piece of clothing you are wearing and put on different ones

Hang on, I'll just go and change.

I had a bath and changed my clothes.

change into:

You should change into some dry socks.

change out of:

He went straight upstairs to change out of his good suit.

get changed:

Have I got time to get changed before we go?

6) [intransitive/transitive] to leave one plane, train, bus etc to get on another

You'll have to change at Manchester.

We changed planes in Paris.

•

change direction/course — to start doing something completely new or different; to start moving in a different direction

Most students change direction during their first year.

I felt the boat change direction.

change for the better/worse — to start being better/worse

As the afternoon wore on the weather changed for the worse.

change gear/gears — to start using a different gear when you are driving a car or riding a bicycle; to start to work or develop in a different way or at a different speed

With business concluded, the convention changes gear and becomes like a huge party.

- all change

- change ends

- change hands

- change your mind

- change sides

- change your tune

Phrasal verbs:

- change around

- change back

- change down

- change into

- change over

- change up

See:

chop I

II UK [tʃeɪndʒ] / US noun
Word forms "change":
singular change plural changes

1)

a) [countable] a situation in which something becomes different or you make something different

A number of significant changes have taken place since the 1960s.

change in:

a change in the law

change to:

The report proposes some fundamental changes to the social security system.

undergo a change:

The computer industry has undergone enormous changes in the last 20 years.

make a change:

We made a few changes to the team for tonight's match.

b) [uncountable] the process by which things become different

Older people sometimes find it hard to accept change.

a conference on climate change

•

Collocations:
Adjectives frequently used with change
▪  dramatic, drastic, fundamental, major, radical, significant, sweeping Verbs frequently used with change as the object ▪  bring about, effect, implement, initiate, introduce, make, propose, recommend, signal

2) [countable] a situation in which one person or thing is replaced by another

change of:

There's been a change of plan.

a change of address

change from:

the change from military to civilian rule

3) [singular] a new activity or experience that is different and enjoyable

change from:

Everyone needs a change from the same old routine.

make/be a change:

We had a Chinese meal, which made a nice change.

4) [uncountable] the money that someone gives back to you when you give more money than it costs to buy something

Here's your change.

keep the change:

They told the driver to keep the change.

a) coins rather than notes

I'm sorry I haven't got any change.

in change:

He had about £5 in change.

See:

loose change, small change

b) if you have change for a note or coin of high value, you have notes or coins of lower value that you can exchange for it

change for:

Have you got change for a five pound note?

5) [countable] a part of a journey when you leave one plane, train, bus etc to get on another

The journey takes five hours, with a change in Newcastle.

•

a change for the better/worse — something new or different that will make a situation better/worse

Mr Appleby described the new legislation as definitely a change for the better.

a change of clothes/socks/underwear etc — another set of clothes that you take with you so that you can wear them instead of the ones you are wearing, if necessary

It's going to be wet and muddy, so bring a change of clothes.

a change of direction/course — a situation in which someone starts doing something completely new or different; a situation in which a person or vehicle starts moving in a different direction

He was looking for a complete change of direction.

a change of scene/scenery/air — a period of time that you spend in a different place in order to feel better or more healthy

I fancied a change of scene from London.

- a change of heart

- for a change

See:

ring I, sea change