v.
- make or become different.
▸(of the moon) arrive at a fresh phase; become new.
- take or use another instead of:
she decided to change her name.
▸move from one to (another).
▸
(change over)
move from one system or situation to another.
▸remove (something dirty or faulty) and replace it with another of the same kind.
▸engage (a different gear) in a motor vehicle.
▸
(change down or up)
Brit. engage a lower (or higher) gear in a vehicle or on a bicycle.
- put different clothes on.
- exchange (a sum of money) for the same sum in a different currency or denomination.
n.
- the action of changing.
▸an instance of becoming different.
▸
(the change or the change of life)
informal the menopause.
- a clean garment or garments as a replacement for something one is wearing.
- coins as opposed to banknotes.
▸money given in exchange for the same sum in larger units.
▸money returned to someone as the balance of the sum paid.
- an order in which a peal of bells can be rung.
Phrase
Derivative
- changeful adj.
- changeless adj.
- changelessly adv.
- changelessness n.
- changer n.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. change (n.), changer (v.), from late L. cambiare, from L. cambire ‘barter’.