adj
Common
altered
AWL-tuhd
Altered (adj) means Changed from its original form or condition. Example: “The altered photograph made the building look taller than it really is.”
adj
1
Changed from its original form or condition.
"The altered photograph made the building look taller than it really is."
"She wore an altered dress that now fitted perfectly."
"The photo showed clear signs of being digitally altered."
2
Describing an animal that has been neutered or spayed.
"Both cats are altered, so there will be no kittens at the shelter."
"The vet said the altered male would be calmer and healthier."
"The rescue dog was already altered when they adopted him."
How to use altered
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishModified or changed from how it originally was.
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Word forms
- Plural
- altereds
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The _____ photograph made the building look taller than it really is.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
unaltered
Related words
Rhymes for altered
See all rhymes for altered →Frequently asked questions
What does “altered” mean?
The word “altered” means changed from its original form or condition. In plain terms, modified or changed from how it originally was.
How do you pronounce “altered”?
“Altered” is pronounced AWL-tuhd (/ˈɔl.tɚd/ in IPA).
How do you use “altered” in a sentence?
Here is “altered” used in a sentence: “The photo showed clear signs of being digitally altered.”
What part of speech is “altered”?
“Altered” is an adjective.
Is “altered” a common word?
“Altered” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “altered” have?
“Altered” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: changed from its original form or condition.
What is the difference between altered and changed?
Changed is the general word for anything that is different from before, while altered usually implies a deliberate modification from an original form or condition. Clothes are altered by a tailor and documents are altered by an editor: the original largely remains, adjusted rather than replaced.
What is an altered state?
An altered state, often in the fuller phrase "altered state of consciousness," is a mental condition changed from its normal baseline, such as during hypnosis, deep meditation, or fever. The phrase draws on the core sense of altered: changed from an original condition.
