modify
MOD-ih-feye
Modify (verb) means to change part of something, usually without altering its overall nature. Example: “The airline modified its baggage policy last month.”
verb
1
To change part of something, usually without altering its overall nature.
"The airline modified its baggage policy last month."
"She modified the recipe to make it dairy-free."
"You can modify the settings to suit the way you work."
2
(grammar) To describe or limit the meaning of another word.
"In "red car," the adjective "red" modifies the noun "car.""
"Adverbs usually modify verbs, telling us how or when something happens."
"In the phrase "very tall," the word "very" modifies the adjective that follows it."
How to use modify
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make a change to something, or (in grammar) for one word to describe another.
Common pairings
modify a plan
modify behavior
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- modifies
- Past tense
- modified
- Archaic forms
- modifiest, modifiedst, modifieth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
You can _____ the settings to suit the way you work.
Etymology
From Middle French modifier, from Latin modificare ("to regulate, moderate"), from modus ("measure") plus facere ("to make").
Related words
Rhymes for modify
See all rhymes for modify →Frequently asked questions
What does “modify” mean?
The word “modify” means to change part of something, usually without altering its overall nature. In plain terms, to make a change to something, or (in grammar) for one word to describe another.
How do you pronounce “modify”?
“Modify” is pronounced MOD-ih-feye (/ˈmɑ.dɪˌfaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “modify” in a sentence?
Here is “modify” used in a sentence: “The airline modified its baggage policy last month.”
What is another word for “modify”?
Words with a similar meaning to “modify” include adapt, alter, amend, revamp and rework.
What part of speech is “modify”?
“Modify” is a verb.
Where does the word “modify” come from?
The word “modify” comes from Latin. From Middle French modifier, from Latin modificare ("to regulate, moderate"), from modus ("measure") plus facere ("to make").
Is “modify” a common word?
“Modify” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “modify” have?
“Modify” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to change part of something, usually without altering its overall nature.
What is the difference between modify and change?
Modify means to change part of something usually without altering its overall nature, implying a partial, targeted adjustment. Change is a broader term that can describe any alteration, including a complete transformation, while modify specifically suggests the core identity of the thing stays intact.
What does it mean for a word to modify another word in grammar?
In grammar, to modify means to describe or limit the meaning of another word, as adjectives modify nouns and adverbs modify verbs. For example, in "the red car," the adjective "red" modifies the noun "car" by narrowing its meaning.
What is the difference between modify and adapt?
Modify generally means changing part of something without altering its overall nature, while adapt implies changing something specifically to suit a new purpose, environment, or set of conditions. Adapt often carries a stronger sense of fitting something to new circumstances than modify does.
