change

UK: /ˈtʃeɪndʒ/ US: /tʃeɪndʒ/ ,(chānj)

Inflections of 'change' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

changes

v 3rd person singular

changing

v pres p

changed

v past

changed

v past p

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

change /tʃeɪndʒ/   v., changed, chang•ing, n. 
v. 

1. to (cause to) become different: [~ + object]
   She decided to change her name.
   [~ + object (+ from + object) + to + object]
   She changed her name (from Smetana) to Smithers.
   [no object]
   Things change.
   [~ + from + object + to + object]
   The mood changed from happiness to gloom.
2. to (cause to) become something different;
   transform: [~ + object + into + object]
   The witch changed the prince into a toad.
   [~ + into + object]
   His kids thought he changed into a grouchy old man.
3. to exchange for another or others: [~ + object]
   I changed the lightbulb in the hall.
4. to transfer from one (bus, etc.) to another: [~ + object]
   I changed buses and went on to Sixth Street.
   [no object]
   You have to change at 42nd Street for the shuttle.
5. to give or get smaller money in exchange for:
   [~ + object (+ for + object)] Can you change this twenty for two fives and a ten?
6. to give or get foreign money in exchange for:
   [~ + object + to/for + object] I need to change these American dollars to Tanzanian shillings.
7. to remove and replace the coverings or clothes of: [~ + object]
   to change a baby.
   [no object* often:~ + out of/into]
   Let me change out of these work clothes into something more comfortable.

n. 

8. the act of changing or the result of being changed:
   [countable] a change in her routine.
   [uncountable] no change in the patient's condition.
9. a replacement or substitution:
   [countable] The car needs an oil change every 5,000 miles.
10. a fresh set of clothes:
    [countable* usually singular] Be sure to pack a change of clothes for the trip.
11. new and different things, actions, experiences;
    novelty:
    [uncountable] We need to hire a person who adjusts easily to change.
12. [uncountable] the passing from one state, condition, etc., to another:
    social change.
13. the money returned when the amount offered in payment is larger than the amount owed:
    [uncountable] Your change from a dollar is sixteen cents.
14. coins:
    [uncountable] rattling the change in his pocket.

Idioms

15. Idioms for a change, in order to do something differently from the usual way:
    The busy executive began to stay home for a change.

chang•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

change  (chānj), v., changed, chang•ing, n. 
v.t. 

1. to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone:
   to change one's name; to change one's opinion;
   to change the course of history.
2. to transform or convert (usually fol. by into):
   The witch changed the prince into a toad.
3. to substitute another or others for;
   exchange for something else, usually of the same kind:
   She changed her shoes when she got home from the office.
4. to give and take reciprocally;
   interchange:
   to change places with someone.
5. to transfer from one (conveyance) to another:
   You'll have to change planes in Chicago.
6. to give or get smaller money in exchange for:
   to change a five-dollar bill.
7. to give or get foreign money in exchange for:
   to change dollars into francs.
8. to remove and replace the covering or coverings of:
   to change a bed; to change a baby.

v.i. 

9. to become different:
   Overnight the nation's mood changed.
10. to become altered or modified:
    Colors change if they are exposed to the sun.
11. to become transformed or converted (usually fol. by into):
    The toad changed into a prince again.
12. to pass gradually into (usually fol. by to or into):
    Summer changed to autumn.
13. to make a change or an exchange:
    If you want to sit next to the window, I'll change with you.
14. to transfer between trains or other conveyances:
    We can take the local and change to an express at the next stop.
15. to change one's clothes:
    She changed into jeans.
16. (of the moon) to pass from one phase to another.
17. (of the voice) to become deeper in tone;
    come to have a lower register:
    The boy's voice began to change when he was thirteen.
18. change front, [Mil.] to shift a military force in another direction.
19. Idioms change hands. See hand (def. 34).
20. change off:
    • to take turns with another, as at doing a task.
    • to alternate between two tasks or between a task and a rest break.
21. Idioms change one's mind, to change one's opinions or intentions.

n. 

22. the act or fact of changing;
    fact of being changed.
23. a transformation or modification;
    alteration:
    They noticed the change in his facial expression.
24. a variation or deviation:
    a change in the daily routine.
25. the substitution of one thing for another:
    We finally made the change to an oil-burning furnace.
26. variety or novelty:
    Let's try a new restaurant for a change.
27. Sociology the passing from one place, state, form, or phase to another:
    a change of seasons; social change.
28. Music and Dance [Jazz.] harmonic progression from one tonality to another;
    modulation.
29. the supplanting of one thing by another.
30. anything that is or may be substituted for another.
31. a fresh set of clothing.
32. money given in exchange for an equivalent of higher denomination.
33. a balance of money that is returned when the sum tendered in payment is larger than the sum due.
34. coins of low denomination.
35. Music and Dance any of the various sequences in which a peal of bells may be rung.
36. British Terms Also, 'change. exchange (def. 10).
37. [Obs.] changefulness;
    caprice.
38. Idioms ring the changes:
    • Music and Dance to perform all permutations possible in ringing a set of tuned bells, as in a bell tower of a church.
    • to vary the manner of performing an action or of discussing a subject;
      repeat with variations.

• Anglo-French, Old French, noun, nominal derivative of the verb, verbal
• Late Latin cambiāre, Latin cambīre to exchange; (noun, nominal) Middle English cha(u)nge
• Anglo-French, Old French changer
• (verb, verbal) Middle English cha(u)ngen 1175–1225

chang•ed•ness  (chān′jid nis, chānjd′-), n.  Synonyms

• 1. transmute, transform; vary, mutate; amend, modify.
  Change, alter both mean to make a difference in the state or condition of a thing or to substitute another state or condition. To change is to make a material difference so that the thing is distinctly different from what it was:
  to change one's opinion.
  To alter is to make some partial change, as in appearance, but usually to preserve the identity:
  to alter a dress
  (to change a dress would mean to put on a different one).
• 3. replace, trade.
• 4. trade.
• 7. convert.
• 10. vary, mutate, amend.
• 22. transmutation, mutation, conversion, vicissitude.
• 25. exchange.
• 29, 30. replacement.

Antonyms

• 10. remain.
• 22. permanence.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

change / tʃeɪndʒ/ verb

1. to make or become different; alter
2. (transitive) to replace with or exchange for another: to change one's name
3. sometimes followed by to or into: to transform or convert or be transformed or converted
4. to give and receive (something) in return; interchange: to change places with someone
5. (transitive) to give or receive (money) in exchange for the equivalent sum in a smaller denomination or different currency
6. (transitive) to remove or replace the coverings of: to change a baby
7. when intr, may be followed by into or out of: to put on other clothes
8. to operate (the gear lever of a motor vehicle) in order to alter the gear ratio: to change gear
9. to alight from (one bus, train, etc) and board another

noun

1. the act or fact of changing or being changed
2. a variation, deviation, or modification
3. the substitution of one thing for another; exchange
4. anything that is or may be substituted for something else
5. variety or novelty (esp in the phrase for a change)
6. a different or fresh set, esp of clothes
7. money given or received in return for its equivalent in a larger denomination or in a different currency
8. the balance of money given or received when the amount tendered is larger than the amount due
9. coins of a small denomination regarded collectively
10. (often capital) a place where merchants meet to transact business; exchange
11. the act of passing from one state or phase to another
12. the transition from one phase of the moon to the next
13. the order in which a peal of bells may be rung
14. change of heart ⇒ a profound change of outlook, opinion, etc
15. get no change out of someone ⇒ not to be successful in attempts to exploit or extract information from someone
16. ring the changes ⇒ to vary the manner or performance of an action that is often repeated

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French changier, from Latin cambīre to exchange, barter

ˈchangeless adjective

ˈchanger noun