View synonyms for

modify

[ mod-uh-fahy ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

modified, modifying.

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

verb (used without object)

modified, modifying.

to be or become modified.

modify

/ ˈ��ɒ��ɪˌ�ڲ�ɪ /

verb

to change the structure, character, intent, etc, of
to make less extreme or uncompromising
to modify a demand
grammar (of a word or group of words) to bear the relation of modifier to (another word or group of words)
linguistics to change (a vowel) by umlaut
intr to be or become modified

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Derived Forms

ˌ��ǻ徱ˌ�ھ��ˈ��ٲ�, noun
ˈ��ǻ徱ˌ�ھ��, adjective

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Other Word Forms

��ǻ�i·�ھ�a·�� adjective
��ǻ�i·�ھ�a·��i·�ٲ� ��ǻ�i·�ھ�a·��·ness noun
�Դǲ�·��ǻ�i·�ڲ�i�Բ� adjective
��v��·��ǻ�i·�ڲ� verb overmodified overmodifying
��·��ǻ�i·�ڲ� verb (used with object) premodified premodifying
��·��ǻ�i·�ڲ� verb remodified remodifying
un·��ǻ�i·�ھ�a·�� adjective
�ܲ�·��ǻ�i·�ھ�� adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of modify¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English modifien, from Middle French modifier, from Latin ��ǻ徱�ھ�� “to impose a rule or pattern, regulate, restrain”; equivalent to mode ¹ + -ify

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Word History and Origins

Origin of modify¹

C14: from Old French modifier, from Latin ��ǻ徱�ھ�� to limit, control, from modus measure + facere to make

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Synonym Study

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.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

However, scientists from the University of Bath and the University of Calgary in Canada, have set out to prove that cleaners - and similar devices, such as lawnmowers - could be reprogrammed and modified relatively easily.

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Also, per Young, builds can be modified with less red tape.

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Answer: Unfortunately, the IRS doesn’t consider freeloading relatives as one of the hardships that can modify the home sales exclusion rules.

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India, meanwhile, has been pushing to review and modify the treaty, citing changing needs - from irrigation and drinking water to hydropower - in light of factors like climate change.

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Will Max Verstappen modify his driving as a result of the decision to give him a five-second penalty in Saudi Arabia?

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Related Words

modifier Modigliani

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