alter
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++al·ter /ˈɔːltə $ ˈɒːltər/ ●●● S3 W3 AWL verb 1 [intransitive, transitive]CHANGE/BECOME DIFFERENTCHANGE FROM ONE THING TO ANOTHER to change, or to make someone or something change （使）变化，（使）改变 Her face hadn’t altered much over the years. 过了这么多年，她的容貌并没有多大改变。 The city centre has altered beyond recognition (=changed very much). 市中心变得都认不出来了。 Nothing can alter the fact that the refugees are our responsibility. 我们有责任帮助难民，这一事实无法改变。2 [transitive]DC to make a piece of clothing longer, wider etc so that it fits 修改〔服装〕have/get something altered She had the dress altered for the wedding. 她让人把礼服改一下婚礼上穿。→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
alter• His mood suddenly altered and he seemed a little annoyed.• At the hypothalamic level, emotions of rage and pleasure are little altered by any environmental stimuli.• His defence lawyer said that Wilson's lifestyle had altered dramatically since the offences three years ago.• I got the dress altered for the wedding.• Today is the last day Granada can alter its bid unless a new bidder prepares a competitive offer.• Since deregulation of bus services some routes may have been altered or replaced.• Treatment of blacks altered slightly with the great depression of the thirties and the economic boom of the wartime forties.• Similarly, practices could appeal if they had evidence that the population characteristics had altered substantially since the last census.• You can alter the color and size of the image using a remote control.• It would only shift if the government chose to alter the money supply.• The border was closed, and they were forced to alter their plans.• The plan will alter traffic patterns in the area.• Whether you like it or not you're going to have to change your ways and alter your lifestyle.Origin alter (1300-1400) French altérer, from Medieval Latin alterare, from Latin alter “other”al·ter verbChineseSyllable
someone change something to Corpus make or change, or to
alter
al‧ter S3 W3 AC /ˈɔːltə $ ˈɒːltər/
verb
Her face hadn’t altered much over the years.
The city centre has altered beyond recognition (=changed very much).
Nothing can alter the fact that the refugees are our responsibility.
2. [transitive] to make a piece of clothing longer, wider etc so that it fits
have/get something altered
She had the dress altered for the wedding.
■ to change something
▪change to make someone or something different: Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do to change the situation. | Being at college has changed her – she’s much more confident now.
▪alter especially written tochange something so that it is better or more suitable: You can alter the colour and size of the image using a remote control. | Can we alter the date of the meeting?
▪adapt to change something slightly in order to improve it or make it more suitable: How much would it cost to adapt the existing equipment? | You can adapt the recipe to suit your own requirements.
▪adjust to make small changes in the position or level of something in order to improve it or make it more suitable: How do you adjust the volume on the television? | He adjusted his tie in the mirror.
▪modify especially written to make small changes to something such as a piece of equipment, a set of ideas, or a way of behaving in order to improve it or use it in a different way: He’s modified his opinions since then. | a modified version of the original program.
▪reform to change a law, system, organization etc so that it is fairer or more effective: plans to reform the tax system | Health care needs to be completely reformed.
▪revise to change a plan, idea, law etc because of new information and ideas: In July, China revised the rules for foreign investment. | The findings could force the scientists to revise their ideas about climate change.
▪reorganize to change the way that a system or organization works: We’ve had to reorganize our database | During the 1980s, the government reorganized the civil service.
▪restructure to make big changes to the way something is organized, especially a large political or economic system or a big company, in order to make it more effective: The company has been restructured from top to bottom.
al‧ter S3 W3 AC /ˈɔːltə $ ˈɒːltər/
verb Date: 1300-1400
Language: French
Origin: altérer, from Medieval Latin alterare, from Latin alter 'other'
1. [intransitive and transitive] to change, or to make someone or something change:Language: French
Origin: altérer, from Medieval Latin alterare, from Latin alter 'other'
2. [transitive] to make a piece of clothing longer, wider etc so that it fits
have/get something altered
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