alter

[ awl-ter ]
/ ˈɔl tər /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR alter ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to make different in some particular, as size, style, course, or the like; modify: to alter a coat; to alter a will; to alter course.
to castrate or spay.

verb (used without object)

to change; become different or modified.

Origin of alter

1350–1400; Middle English < Old French alterer < Late Latin alterāre to change, worsen, derivative of Latin alter other

synonym study for alter

1. See adjust, change.

OTHER WORDS FROM alter

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH alter

altar alter

Words nearby alter

altazimuth mount, altazimuth mounting, altdorf, altdorfer, alte pinakothek, alter, alter ego, alter idem, alter., alterable, alterant

Words related to altering

develop, amend, modify, transform, revamp, adjust, change, shift, vary, revise, reshape, fix, transmute, mutate, convert, doctor, reform, metamorphose, renovate, turn

Example sentences from the Web for altering

British Dictionary definitions for altering

alter
/ (ˈɔːltə) /

verb

to make or become different in some respect; change
(tr) informal, mainly US a euphemistic word for castrate, spay

Derived forms of alter

alterable, adjective alterably, adverb alterability, noun

Word Origin for alter

C14: from Old French alterer, from Medieval Latin alterāre to change, from Latin alter other