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change

Syllabification:

Entry from World dictionary

Pronunciation:/tʃeɪn(d)ʒ/

verb

  • 1 make or become different:[with object] :a proposal to change the law [no object] :a Virginia creeper just beginning to change from green to gold
  • [no object, with complement] alter in terms of:the ferns began to change shape
  • [no object] (of traffic lights) move from one colour of signal to another
  • [no object] (of the moon) arrive at a fresh phase ; become new
  • 2 [with object] take or use another instead of:she decided to change her name
  • move from one to another:she was a typist who changed jobs incessantly
  • [no object] move to a different train, bus, etc.:we had to change at Rugby
  • give up or get rid of (something) in exchange for something else:we changed the flagstones for quarry tiles
  • remove (something dirty or faulty) and replace it with another of the same kind:he scarcely knew how to change a plug
  • put a clean nappy on (a baby or young child)
  • [no object] engage a different gear in a motor vehicle:he changed into second
  • exchange (a sum of money) for the same sum in a different currency or denomination
  • [no object] put different clothes on:he changed for dinner

noun

  • 1 an act or process through which something becomes different:the change from a nomadic to an agricultural society [mass noun] :activities related to environmental change
  • the substitution of one thing for another:we need a change of government
  • an alteration or modification:a change came over Eddie's face
  • a new or refreshingly different experience:couscous makes an interesting change from rice
  • [in singular] a clean garment or garments as a replacement for something one is wearing:a change of socks
  • (the change or the change of life)informal the menopause
  • the moon's arrival at a fresh phase , typically at the new moon
  • 2 [mass noun] coins as opposed to banknotes:a handful of loose change
  • money given in exchange for the same sum in larger units
  • money returned to someone as the balance of the sum paid for something
  • 3 (usually changes) an order in which a peal of bells can be rung
  • 4 (Change or 'Change)historical a place where merchants met to do business

Phrases

change address

move house or business premises

change colour

blanch or flush

change hands

(of a business or building) pass to a different owner
  • (of money or a marketable commodity) pass to another person in the course of a business transaction

a change is as good as a rest

proverb a change of work or occupation can be as restorative or refreshing as a period of relaxation

change one's mind

adopt a different opinion or plan

a change of air

a different climate, typically as a means of improving one's health

a change of heart

a move to a different opinion or attitude

change places

exchange places or roles:under the bishop's plan, he and I were to change places

change sides

begin to support a different side in a war or dispute:one of his supporters changed sides

change step

alter one's step so that the opposite leg is the one that marks time when marching

change the subject

begin talking of something different, to avoid embarrassment or distress

change one's tune

express a very different opinion or behave in a very different way

for a change

contrary to how things usually happen or in order to introduce variety:it's nice to be pampered for a change

get no change out of

British informal fail to get information or a desired reaction from

ring the changes

vary the ways of expressing or doing something[with allusion to bell-ringing and the different orders in which a peal of bells may be rung]

Phrasal Verbs

change down

British engage a lower gear in a vehicle or on a bicycle

change over

  • 1 move from one system or situation to another:arable farmers have to change over to dairy farming
  • 2 swap roles or duties

change up

British engage a higher gear in a vehicle or on a bicycle

Derivatives

changeful

adjective

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French change (noun), changer (verb), from late Latin cambiare, from Latin cambire 'barter', probably of Celtic origin

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