modifier

[ mod-uh-fahy-er ]
/ ˈmɒd əˌfaɪ ər /

noun

a person or thing that modifies.
Grammar.
  1. a word, phrase, or sentence element that limits or qualifies the sense of another word, phrase, or element in the same construction.
  2. the immediate constituent of an endocentric construction that is not the head.

Origin of modifier

First recorded in 1575–85; modify + -er1

usage note for modifier

See dangling participle, misplaced modifier.

Words nearby modifier

modification, modificatory, modified american plan, modified radical mastectomy, modified-release, modifier, modify, modigliani, modillion, modiolus, modish

Words related to modifiers

adjective, adverb, conditioner, transformer, alterant, alterer

Example sentences from the Web for modifiers

British Dictionary definitions for modifiers

modifier
/ (ˈmɒdɪˌfaɪə) /

noun

Also called: qualifier grammar a word or phrase that qualifies the sense of another word; for example, the noun alarm is a modifier of clock in alarm clock and the phrase every day is an adverbial modifier of walks in he walks every day
a person or thing that modifies

Cultural definitions for modifiers

modifier

A word or group of words that describes or limits a verb, noun, adjective, or adverb. Modifiers applied to nouns are adjectives. Modifiers applied to verbs or adjectives are adverbs. Those that are applied to adverbs themselves are also called adverbs.