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change

change

1.1
A time when something becomes different
  • noun
  • /tʃeɪndʒ/
translation icon : cambio
  • The fans had initially been hopeful of a positive change when Rastoder took over the club.
  • climate change
  • make changes
  • a significant change

The first step in any change is awareness.

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Examples

  • The emergence of the Internet marked a fundamental change in the ways distance education providers functioned.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The change will do him good.

  • What is the change you want to see?

  • Some of them had some changes, some were good.

  • All right, so now what are the changes to the channel?

  • The first step in any change is awareness.

  • Due to weather conditions, all flights are subject to change.

  • There have been some changes since you've been gone.

  • Observing these differences has resulted in some changes to how bibliographic manager workshops are delivered.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The change in the weather made everyone excited for summer.

Synonyms

difference
vschange
1.0

A change that makes something better

is the neutral idea of becoming different, not necessarily improving outcomes
transformation
vschange
241 3.7

A complete change in form or appearance, for example a caterpillar becoming a butterfly

is the general idea of becoming different, not necessarily total or complete
modification
vschange
137 3.9

Changing something to make it better or more suitable

is the neutral term for becoming different without focusing on improvement
variation
vschange
113 3.0

A change in amount or condition from what is normal

is the general process of becoming different, not only differences in measure
alteration
vschange
102 3.3

A change made to something

is the general, basic term for that process
revision
vschange
94 2.9

A change made to improve or correct something

is broader, covering any difference rather than only improvements or corrections
conversion
vschange
77 3.5

Changing something from one form or unit to another

is the general process of becoming different, not only replacing form or use
policy change
vschange
19 3.5

A big new rule by a government or group that makes them act differently

is the broader idea of becoming different, not only in policies
sea change
vschange
19 6.3

A big, lasting difference in the way people think or do things

is the general term that can be small or large, not always profound
translation
vschange
12 2.0

Changing something into a different form or appearance

is the general process of becoming different, not only shifts of form or medium
political change
vschange
12 3.7

The time when a country's leaders, laws and policies become different after elections or protests

is the general concept of becoming different, not limited to politics
changeover
vschange
8 4.1

The process of moving from one system or state to another

is the broader concept of becoming different, not only replacement or transition
4 4.4

A slow process of change and development by small steps over time

is the general process of becoming different that can be sudden or gradual
transmutation
vschange
3 8.6

A change of something into a different form

is the general process of becoming different, not only radical material conversion
chemical change
vschange
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A process that turns one substance into a different one by changing its atoms or molecules

is the general idea of becoming different, not limited to chemical processes
becoming
vschange
1 5.3

The process of changing into something new

is the same idea but used for any kind of difference rather than development
change of life
vschange
1 5.6

A big life event that changes how a person lives or thinks

is the general notion of becoming different, not limited to personal life events
change of state
vschange
  • Specialized
4.3

A process when something becomes a different form or condition

is the broader idea of becoming different, not only altering essential characteristics
state change
vschange
  • Specialized
4.1

A process where matter moves between solid, liquid, and gas without a chemical reaction

is the broader concept of becoming different, not limited to physical phase shifts
temporal change
vschange
6.0

A change that happens over time

is the general concept of becoming different, not specifically about time

Antonyms

363 3.1

Being steady and not likely to change

4 5.3

A steady loyalty to someone or something over time

Idioms

To make a big difference in a situation that gives a clear advantage

To make a big lasting change to what happens next

6 5.1

To show a different opinion after you were against it before

To make a place, industry or situation look and work very differently

Switching leaders or plans during a project that is already happening when it is risky

Make the situation different so some people have a better chance to win

To have a different opinion after seeing new facts or benefits

Start small actions that lead to change later

Compounds

climate change
  • Specialized
274 2.8

A long change in the Earth's usual weather and temperature

change of heart
  • Informal
54 3.4

A time when a person decides they feel differently about something

An extra set of clothes to wear if your clothes get wet or dirty

19 3.5

A big new rule by a government or group that makes them act differently

19 6.3

A big, lasting difference in the way people think or do things

change of pace
  • Informal
18 3.2

An activity that is different from your normal routine to give you a pleasant break

18 3.3

A trip to a new place to feel refreshed

sex change
  • Specialized
15 4.2

A medical operation and hormone treatment to make a person's body match the gender they feel

14 1.0

Small coins or money you do not need and carry with you

The time when a country's leaders, laws and policies become different after elections or protests

11 2.3

Replacing old oil in a car engine with fresh oil

10 2.3

A small amount of money in coins that is not worth much

global climate change
  • Specialized
9 3.3

Long-term change in Earth's usual weather and temperature mainly caused by people

A rise or fall in how hot something is

chump change
  • Informal
8 8.2

A very small amount of money that hardly matters next to bigger costs

A small amount of money, usually coins, kept for minor expenses

8 3.1

Small coins people keep in pockets or jars

6 3.3

A quick move from one state to another

6 5.7

Medical treatment with surgery and hormones that helps a person live as a different gender

A decision to take back a previous choice or opinion

A slow process of change and development by small steps over time

physical change
  • Specialized
4 3.4

A change where something changes state or appearance but stays the same substance

A move to a different direction physically or in plans

A move to face or go a different way

change-up
  • Specialized
3 6.4

A slow pitch that fools a batter who expects a fastball

3 5.9

Able to change clothes or roles very quickly

A shift in the weather that brings different temperatures, rain, or wind

The time when a woman stops having periods and cannot have children

1 5.9

An act of replacing the player who throws the ball with another during a baseball game

chemical change
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A process that turns one substance into a different one by changing its atoms or molecules

phase change
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A material that moves from solid to liquid or gas without making a new substance

1 3.2

Moving the gears in a car changes speed or power

1 3.7

A process in which something becomes a different color

A move of something from one place to another

A big life event that changes how a person lives or thinks

change-of-pace
  • Specialized
1 8.3

A slow pitch in baseball thrown to trick the batter

A place where you change one country's money for another

A time when something becomes different in size or amount

The way something becomes a different form when it is bent, heated, or pressed

change of state
  • Specialized
4.3

A process when something becomes a different form or condition

9.9

Playing tuned bells in changing sequences using set patterns

change-of-pace ball
  • Specialized
7.9

A baseball pitch thrown much slower than expected to surprise a batter

3.5

A way to reduce the causes and effects of climate change

A change that happens over time

state change
  • Specialized
4.1

A process where matter moves between solid, liquid, and gas without a chemical reaction

7.5

A one-time payment that a local government asks to handle a request to change how land can be used

How Big

revolution
810 4.1
transformation
241 3.7
change
1.1
shift
363 3.5
variation
113 3.0
adjustment
133 2.9

Surface Forms

change singular
changes plural

Etymology

Change comes from an old French word changier meaning 'to exchange' or 'make different'. So a change is the act or result of something becoming different.