change

changeverb

To change is to become different or make something different, or to put one thing in the place of another.

1. become differentbecome different

   intransitive [I] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • The town has changed a lot since I was a child.
   • Her voice changed when she got angry.
   • The weather can change very quickly in the mountains.
   • The light changed from red to green. V + adv/prep

   Collocations

   adverb + verb change completely, change quickly, change a lot

   verb + preposition change into something, change from something to something

2. make differentmake someone or something different

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • Having children changed my life. V + obj
   • They changed the date of the meeting. V + obj
   • I've changed my mind; I'll have the fish. V + obj
   • Nothing you say will change the way I feel. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun change your mind, change the rules, change the subject, change someone's life, change the world

   Synonyms alter (more formal, often a small change)

3. replacestop having or using one thing and start having or using another of the same kind

   When the meaning is leave one and take another of the same kind, the noun is often plural: change jobs, change seats, change schools.

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • I changed jobs last year. V + obj
   • Can we change seats? I can't see. V + obj
   • You need to change the batteries in the remote. V + obj
   • We changed doctors after we moved. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun change jobs, change seats, change schools, change the batteries, change a tire

   For translators (sense 3)

   Grammar trap English uses a plural noun when one thing replaces another of the same kind: change trains, change jobs, change seats.

4. clothestake off your clothes and put on different ones

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • I need to change before dinner.
   • She changed into her running clothes. V + adv/prep
   • Change your shirt; that one's dirty. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun change your clothes, change your shirt

   verb + preposition change into something, change out of something

   1. atake off a baby's dirty underwear of cloth or paper and put on a clean one, or put clean sheets on a bed

      transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

      • Can you change the baby while I make lunch? V + obj
      • I change the sheets every Sunday. V + obj

5. bus or trainget off one bus, train, or plane and get on another to continue a trip

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + object [V + obj]

   • We had to change planes twice. V + obj
   • Change at the next station for the airport.
   • You don't need to change; this train goes all the way.

   Collocations

   verb + noun change trains, change buses, change planes

6. moneygive money and get back the same amount in smaller units or in another kind of money

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj]

   • Can you change a twenty-dollar bill? V + obj
   • I need to change some dollars into euros. V + obj + prep + obj
   • Where can I change money near here? V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun change money, change a bill

   verb + preposition change something into something

   Synonyms exchange

See also change (the noun: a change of plan, and coins: keep the change)