modifying

UK: /ˈmɒdɪfaɪɪŋ/

From the verb modify: (⇒ conjugate)

modifying is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

mod•i•fy /ˈmɑdəˌfaɪ/   v. [~ + object] , -fied, -fy•ing. 

1. to change somewhat the form or qualities of; amend:
   to modify a contract.
2. Grammar (of a word, phrase, or clause) to describe, limit, or qualify (another word, phrase, or clause):
   In the phrase a good cook, the word good modifies the word cook.

mod•i•fi•ca•tion /ˌmɑdəfɪˈkeɪʃən/  n. 

[uncountable] to accept a contract without modification.

[countable] The modifications were completed in a week.

mod•i•fi•er, n. 

[countable] When the word model is used as a modifier, it goes before the noun it modifies, as in a model home.

See -mod-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

mod•i•fy  (mod′ə fī′), v., -fied, -fy•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to change somewhat the form or qualities of;
   alter partially;
   amend:
   to modify a contract.
2. 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.
3. Grammar to be the modifier or attribute of.
4. Linguistics to change (a vowel) by umlaut.
5. to reduce or lessen in degree or extent;
   moderate;
   soften:
   to modify one's demands.

v.i. 

6. to be or become modified.

• Latin modificāre to impose a rule or pattern, regulate, restrain. See mode¹, -ify
• Middle French modifier
• Middle English modifien 1350–1400

mod′i•fi′a•ble, adj. 
mod′i•fi′a•bil′i•ty, mod′i•fi′a•ble•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. vary, adjust, shape, reform.
• 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.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

modify / ˈmɒdɪˌfaɪ/ verb ( -fies, -fying, -fied)(mainly tr)

1. to change the structure, character, intent, etc, of
2. to make less extreme or uncompromising
3. (of a word or group of words) to bear the relation of modifier to (another word or group of words)
4. to change (a vowel) by umlaut
5. (intransitive) to be or become modified

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French modifier, from Latin modificāre to limit, control, from modus measure + facere to make

ˈmodiˌfiable adjective

ˌmodiˌfiaˈbility, ˈmodiˌfiableness noun