alter

verb

al·​ter ˈȯl-tər 

altered; altering ˈȯl-t(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to make different without changing into something else

an event that altered the course of history

2

: castrate, spay

had the puppies altered

intransitive verb

: to become different

customs that alter with the times

alterability

ˌȯl-t(ə-)rə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

alterable

ˈȯl-t(ə-)rə-bəl 

adjective

alterably

ˈȯl-t(ə-)rə-blē 

adverb

alterer

ˈȯl-tər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

• change
• make over
• modify
• recast
• redo
• refashion
• remake
• remodel
• revamp
• revise
• rework
• vary

Choose the Right Synonym for alter

change, alter, vary, modify mean to make or become different.

change implies making either an essential difference often amounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another.

changed the shirt for a larger size

alter implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity.

slightly altered the original design

vary stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition.

vary your daily routine

modify suggests a difference that limits, restricts, or adapts to a new purpose.

modified the building for use by the disabled

Examples of alter in a Sentence

Alcohol can alter a person's mood.

He altered his will to leave everything to his sister.

This one small event altered the course of history.

The place has altered in the 10 years since I left.

I'll need to have the dress altered before the wedding.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, hormonal changes, especially related to the menstrual cycle, can alter this temperature regulation, causing women to need more time to reach restful sleep. —Sofía Esquivel, Glamour, 24 Dec. 2024

But Kiper and the other experts say the camera card was likely altered between April 11, 2019, and June 11, 2019, while in FBI custody. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

Censorship may seem black and white: an artwork is either altered or removed because of its politics, the thinking goes, and if the politics aren’t the issue, that piece wasn’t censored. —Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 23 Dec. 2024

However, self-defeating rules that alter the game’s brand should always be discouraged. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alteren "to change, transform," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French alterer, borrowed from Late Latin alterāre, verbal derivative of Latin alter "second, another, next," derivative, with the suffix of opposition -ter-, from the base of alius "other" — more at else entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing alter

• alter ego

Kids Definition

alter

verb

al·​ter ˈȯl-tər 

1

: to change partly but usually not completely

alter a dress

2

: castrate, spay

alterability

ˌȯl-t(ə-)rə-ˈbil-ə-tē 

noun

alterable

ˈȯl-t(ə-)rə-bəl 

adjective

alterer noun

Etymology

Middle English alteren "to make different," from Latin alterare (same meaning), from Latin alter "other (of two)" — related to adulterate

Medical Definition

alter

1 of 2 transitive verb

al·​ter

ˈȯl-tər

altered; altering

-t(ə-)riŋ

: castrate sense 1, spay

alter

2 of 2 noun

: one of the distinct identities or personality states manifested in an individual with dissociative identity disorder