Topic: NATURE
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| Date: | 1100-1200 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | changier, from Latin cambiare 'to exchange' |
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change1 S1 W1
1 to become different, or to make something become different : Susan has changed a lot since I last saw her. Changing your eating habits is the best way to lose weight. The rules won't change overnight (=change quickly). The leaves on trees change colour in the autumn.
become different/make something different
[intransitive and transitive]Susan has changed a lot since I last saw her.Changing your eating habits is the best way to lose weight.The rules won't change overnight (=change quickly).The leaves on trees change colour in the autumn.2 to stop doing or using one thing, and start doing or using something else instead [= switch]: She changed jobs in May. The ship changed course and headed south. The company has had to change direction because of developments in technology.
start doing/using something different
[intransitive and transitive]DSShe changed jobs in May. change (from something) to something The company has recently changed to a more powerful computer system.
The company has recently changed to a more powerful computer system.The ship changed course and headed south.The company has had to change direction because of developments in technology.3 to put or use something new or different in place of something else, especially because it is old, damaged, or broken : Three boys were changing a tyre by the side of the road. When I lost my keys, we had to change all the locks. How often do you change cars (=buy a new car and sell the old one)?
replace something
[transitive]Three boys were changing a tyre by the side of the road.When I lost my keys, we had to change all the locks. change something (from something) to something The time of the meeting has been changed from 11 a.m. to 10:30.
The time of the meeting has been changed from 11 a.m. to 10:30.How often do you change cars (=buy a new car and sell the old one)?4 to change your decision, plan, or opinion about something : Her father tried to get her to change her mind.
change your mind
Her father tried to get her to change her mind.5 to leave one party, group etc and join an opposing party, group etc : It's quite rare for politicians to change sides.
change sides
It's quite rare for politicians to change sides.6
clothes
a) [intransitive and transitive] to take off your clothes and put on different ones : Francis came in while Jay was changing. Change your dress - that one looks dirty.
Francis came in while Jay was changing.Change your dress - that one looks dirty.b) [transitive]DHB to put a clean nappy on a baby, or to put clean clothes on a baby or small child : I bathed him and changed his diaper. Can you change the baby?
I bathed him and changed his diaper.Can you change the baby?7 to take the dirty sheets off a bed and put on clean ones
bed
[transitive]8
exchange goods
[transitive] British Englisha) to take back to a shop something that you have bought and get something different instead, especially because there is something wrong with it [= exchange American English]
change something for something I bought these gloves for my daughter, but they're too large. Can I change them for a smaller size?
I bought these gloves for my daughter, but they're too large. Can I change them for a smaller size?b) to give a customer something different instead of what they have bought, especially because there is something wrong with it [= exchange American English] I'm sure the shop will change them for you.
I'm sure the shop will change them for you.9
exchange money
[transitive]a) to get smaller units of money that add up to the same value as a larger unit : Can you change a £20 note?
Can you change a £20 note?b) PEC to get money from one country for the same value of money from another country
10 to get off one train, bus, or aircraft and into another in order to continue your journey
trains/buses/aircraft
[intransitive and transitive]TT all change! (=used to tell passengers to get off a train because it does not go any further)
11 if property changes hands, it starts to belong to someone else : The house has changed hands three times in the last two years.
change hands
The house has changed hands three times in the last two years.12
change places (with somebody)
a) to give someone your place and take their place : Would you mind changing places with me so I can sit next to my friend?
Would you mind changing places with me so I can sit next to my friend?b) to take someone else's social position or situation in life instead of yours : She may be rich, but I wouldn't want to change places with her.
She may be rich, but I wouldn't want to change places with her.13 to put the engine of a vehicle into a higher or lower gear in order to go faster or slower
gear
TTC [intransitive and transitive]14 to start expressing a different attitude and reacting in a different way, after something has happened : The question is, will the president change his tune on taxes?
change your tune
informalThe question is, will the president change his tune on taxes?15 if the wind changes, it starts to blow in a different direction
wind
[intransitive]DN16 to change your character completely : US business has changed its spots in recent years.
change your spots
US business has changed its spots in recent years.➔ chop and change
at chop1 (3)WORD FOCUS: changeWORD FOCUS: change to change something: alter, adapt, adjust, amend, modify, revise, vary
to change a system or organization: restructure, reorganize, reform
to change something completely: transform, revolutionize
to change facts or information, or change what someone has said: twist, distort, misrepresent
easily changed: flexible, adaptable
impossible to change: fixed, final, irrevocable
change something ↔ around
phrasal verbWhen we'd changed the furniture around, the room looked bigger.change over
phrasal verbComplete all the exercises on one leg, then change over.
