modify
[ mod-uh-fahy ]
/ ˈmɒd əˌfaɪ /
verb (used with object), mod·i·fied, mod·i·fy·ing.
to change somewhat the form or qualities of; alter partially; amend: to modify a contract.
Grammar.
(of a word, phrase, or clause) to stand in a syntactically subordinate relation to (another word, phrase, or clause), usually with descriptive, limiting, or particularizing meaning; be a modifier. In a good man, good modifies man.
to be the modifier or attribute of.
to change (a vowel) by umlaut.
to reduce or lessen in degree or extent; moderate; soften: to modify one's demands.
verb (used without object), mod·i·fied, mod·i·fy·ing.
to be or become modified.
Origin of modify
synonym study for modify
5.
Modify,
qualify,
temper suggest altering an original statement, condition, or the like, so as to avoid anything excessive or extreme. To
modify is to alter in one or more particulars, generally in the direction of leniency or moderation:
to modify demands, rates. To
qualify is to restrict or limit by exceptions or conditions:
to qualify one's praise, hopes. To
temper is to alter the quality of something, generally so as to diminish its force or harshness:
to temper one's criticism with humor.
OTHER WORDS FROM modify
Words nearby modify
Example sentences from the Web for modified
British Dictionary definitions for modified
modify
/ (ˈmɒdɪˌfaɪ) /
verb -fies, -fying or -fied (mainly tr)
to change the structure, character, intent, etc, of
to make less extreme or uncompromising
to modify a demand
grammar
(of a word or group of words) to bear the relation of modifier to (another word or group of words)
linguistics
to change (a vowel) by umlaut
(intr)
to be or become modified
Derived forms of modify
modifiable, adjective modifiability or modifiableness, nounWord Origin for modify
C14: from Old French
modifier, from Latin
modificāre to limit, control, from
modus measure +
facere to make