WordLens

alter

1 of 1verb
/ˈɔltər/
Forms:alters,altering,altered,altered
1

to cause something to change

B2transitive
  • New technologies can greatly alter the way we live and communicate.
  • After receiving feedback, she decided to alter her presentation to make it more engaging.
  • A good haircut can completely alter one's appearance.
  • Last year, the company altered its marketing strategy to reach a wider audience.
  • The architect altered the design after receiving feedback from the client.
Synonyms:
2

to change without becoming totally different

  • Over time, people's tastes and preferences can alter.
  • As the years went by, her perspective on life started to alter.
  • The patient's condition began to alter, showing signs of improvement.
  • The dynamics of the team started to alter as new players joined.
  • The artist's style gradually altered over the course of their career.
Synonyms:
3

to make changes to a garment in order to adjust its size, style, or overall appearance

transitive
  • The skilled tailor was able to transform the oversized suit into a perfectly tailored and fitted ensemble.
  • Through careful alterations, the tailor transformed the suit jacket to accommodate the customer's unique body shape.
  • The tailor transformed the outdated jacket by tapering the sleeves.
  • The wedding gown was transformed by the tailor to reflect the bride's vision.
  • The tailor skillfully transformed the pants into shorts for the summer season.
4

to remove the reproductive organs of an animal

transitive
  • The veterinarian will alter the male dog to prevent unwanted breeding and reduce aggressive behavior.
  • It is recommended to alter female cats to prevent unwanted litters and reduce the risk of certain health issues.
  • The responsible pet owner decided to alter their male rabbit to prevent territorial marking and aggression.
  • The animal shelter offers low-cost services to alter stray cats and dogs in order to control the population.
  • The breeder decided to alter the male horse to focus on its performance career rather than breeding.