Change vs. Alter — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on August 23, 2023
Change implies making something different than it was, while alter suggests modifying or adjusting without a complete transformation.
Difference Between Change and Alter
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Change often connotes a transformation that can be radical or complete, rendering something entirely different from its original state. Alter, on the other hand, implies a more subtle modification or tweaking. If you alter a dress, you're making adjustments to its original form, but it still remains a dress.
The idea behind change suggests a shift from one state to another. If someone changes their opinion, they once believed one thing and now believe another. Alter, in contrast, doesn't imply a shift from one completely distinct state to another but rather a variation of the original.
Change can be permanent or temporary, but it always indicates a move from the previous condition. When seasons change, we move from summer to fall, signifying a clear departure. Alter doesn't necessarily carry the weight of permanence. If you alter the arrangement of furniture in your room, you can easily revert it back.
The concept of change can be passive or active. Things can change due to external forces without any active intervention. For instance, leaves can change color in the fall. Alter usually requires an active intervention. You alter your hairstyle by actively getting a haircut.
Change can sometimes denote a replacement, where the original is no longer present. If you change the batteries in a device, the old ones are removed. Alter doesn't hint at replacement but instead indicates an adaptation of the original. If you alter the brightness of your phone, the original setting can be returned to.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Complete transformation
Subtle modification
Intensity
Can be radical or complete
Generally more mild or slight
Permanence
Can be permanent or temporary
Often reversible
Action
Can be passive or active
Usually requires active intervention
Implication
Sometimes denotes replacement
Indicates adaptation without replacement
Compare with Definitions
Change
To make or become different.
She decided to change her hairstyle.
Alter
To make a usually small modification to something.
She will alter the dress to fit better.
Change
A shift from one state or condition to another.
Leaves change color in the fall.
Alter
To adjust or adapt to a new condition.
He altered his plans due to the weather.
Change
An act or process through which something becomes different.
The change in management brought new policies.
Alter
To castrate or spay an animal.
Many pet owners decide to alter their pets for health reasons.
Change
To replace something with another.
He decided to change his old shoes.
Alter
To tailor or reshape an item.
The tailor will alter the suit to fit him.
Change
To cause to be different; alter
We decided to change the color of the walls. You can't change the rules in the middle of the game.
Alter
Change in character or composition, typically in a comparatively small but significant way.
Age had altered his appearance.
Change
To give a completely different form or appearance to; transform
The new homeowners changed the yard into a garden.
Alter
To castrate or spay (an animal, such as a cat or a dog).
Change
To give and receive reciprocally; interchange
Anne and I changed seats so that she could sit next to the aisle.
Alter
Insert words into texts, often falsifying it thereby
Change
To exchange for or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category
Change one's name.
A light that changes colors.
Alter
To adjust (a garment) for a better fit.
Change
To transfer from (one conveyance) to another
In Chicago, we'll have to change planes.
Alter
To make otherwise; to change in some respect, either partially or wholly; to vary; to modify.
It gilds all objects, but it alters none.
My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
Change
Money received in return for its equivalent in a larger denomination or a different currency;
He got change for a twenty and used it to pay the taxi driver
Alter
Make or become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence;
Her mood changes in accordance with the weather
The supermarket's selection of vegetables varies according to the season
Change
To lay aside, abandon, or leave for another; switch
Change methods.
Change sides.
Alter
Make an alteration to;
This dress needs to be altered
Change
To give or receive the equivalent of (money) in lower denominations or in foreign currency
This machine will change dollar bills into coins. At the airport, the traveler changed British pounds into euros.
Alter
To change or make different; modify
Altered my will.
Change
To put fresh clothes or coverings on
It's your turn to change the baby. I'll show you how to change the bed.
Alter
To change or become different.
Change
To become different or undergo alteration
He changed as he matured. The town grew and changed over the years.
Alter
(transitive) To change the form or structure of.
Change
To undergo transformation or transition
The music changed to a slow waltz.
Alter
(intransitive) To become different.
Change
To go from one phase to another, as the moon or the seasons.
Alter
(transitive) To tailor clothes to make them fit.
Change
To make an exchange; switch
If you prefer this seat, I'll change with you.
Alter
(transitive) To castrate, neuter or spay (a dog or other animal).
Change
To transfer from one conveyance to another
She changed in Detroit on her way to California.
Alter
(transitive) To affect mentally, as by psychotropic drugs or illness.
Change
To put on other clothing
We changed for dinner. They changed into work clothes.
Alter
An identity or headmate of a person with dissociative identity disorder (previously known as multiple personality disorder); a member of a system.
Change
To become deeper in tone
His voice began to change at age 13.
Alter
To agitate; to affect mentally.
Change
The act, process, or result of altering or modifying
A change in facial expression.
A last-minute change in the schedule.
Alter
To geld.
Change
The replacing of one thing for another; substitution
A change of atmosphere.
A change of ownership.
Alter
To become, in some respects, different; to vary; to change; as, the weather alters almost daily; rocks or minerals alter by exposure.
Change
A transformation or transition from one state, condition, or phase to another
The change of seasons.
Alter
Cause to change; make different; cause a transformation;
The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city
The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue
Change
Something different; variety
Ate early for a change.
Alter
Remove the ovaries of;
Is your cat spayed?
Change
A different or fresh set of clothing
I brought along a change of shirts to the overnight party.
Alter
Change in character or composition, typically in a comparatively small but significant way
Our outward appearance alters as we get older
Eliot was persuaded to alter the passage
Change
Money of smaller denomination given or received in exchange for money of higher denomination
Will you give me change of four quarters for a dollar?.
Change
The balance of money returned when an amount given is more than what is due
I paid $3 for the coffee that cost $2.50, so I received 50 cents in change.
Change
A pattern or order in which bells are rung.
Change
To give and take reciprocally; to exchange; - followed by with; as, to change place, or hats, or money, with another.
Look upon those thousands with whom thou wouldst not, for any interest, change thy fortune and condition.
Change
A different or fresh set of clothes;
She brought a change in her overnight bag
Change
Coins
Loose change was jingling in my pocket.
Change
In jazz, a change of harmony; a modulation.
Change
A market or exchange where business is transacted.
Change
(intransitive) To become something different.
The tadpole changed into a frog.
Stock prices are constantly changing.
Change
To make something into something else.
The fairy changed the frog into a prince.
I had to change the wording of the ad so it would fit.
Change
(transitive) To replace.
Ask the janitor to come and change the lightbulb.
After a brisk walk, I washed up and changed my shirt.
Change
(intransitive) To replace one's clothing.
You can't go into the dressing room while she's changing.
The clowns changed into their costumes before the circus started.
Change
(transitive) To replace the clothing of (the one wearing it).
It's your turn to change the baby.
Change
(intransitive) To transfer to another vehicle (train, bus, etc.)
Change
(archaic) To exchange.
Change
(transitive) To change hand while riding (a horse).
To change a horse
Change
The process of becoming different.
The product is undergoing a change in order to improve it.
Change
(uncountable) Small denominations of money given in exchange for a larger denomination.
Can I get change for this $100 bill please?
Change
(countable) A replacement.
A change of clothes
Change
(uncountable) Balance of money returned from the sum paid after deducting the price of a purchase.
A customer who pays with a 10-pound note for a £9 item receives one pound in change.
Change
(uncountable) An amount of cash, usually in the form of coins, but sometimes inclusive of paper money.
Do you have any change on you? I need to make a phone call.
This bus ride requires exact change.
Change
(countable) A transfer between vehicles.
The train journey from Bristol to Nottingham includes a change at Birmingham.
Change
(campanology) Any order in which a number of bells are struck, other than that of the diatonic scale.
Change
A public house; an alehouse.
Change
To alter; to make different; to cause to pass from one state to another; as, to change the position, character, or appearance of a thing; to change the countenance.
Therefore will I change their glory into shame.
Change
To alter by substituting something else for, or by giving up for something else; as, to change the clothes; to change one's occupation; to change one's intention.
They that do change old love for new,Pray gods, they change for worse!
Change
Specifically: To give, or receive, smaller denominations of money (technically called change) for; as, to change a gold coin or a bank bill.
He pulled out a thirty-pound note and bid me change it.
Change
To pass from one phase to another; as, the moon changes to-morrow night.
Change
Any variation or alteration; a passing from one state or form to another; as, a change of countenance; a change of habits or principles.
Apprehensions of a change of dynasty.
All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
Change
A succesion or substitution of one thing in the place of another; a difference; novelty; variety; as, a change of seasons.
Our fathers did for change to France repair.
The ringing grooves of change.
Change
A passing from one phase to another; as, a change of the moon.
Change
Alteration in the order of a series; permutation.
Change
That which makes a variety, or may be substituted for another.
Thirty change (R.V. changes) of garments.
Change
Small money; the money by means of which the larger coins and bank bills are made available in small dealings; hence, the balance returned when payment is tendered by a coin or note exceeding the sum due.
Change
A place where merchants and others meet to transact business; a building appropriated for mercantile transactions.
Change
A relational difference between states; especially between states before and after some event;
He attributed the change to their marriage
Change
The action of changing something;
The change of government had no impact on the economy
His change on abortion cost him the election
Change
The result of alteration or modification;
There were marked changes in the lining of the lungs
There had been no change in the mountains
Change
The balance of money received when the amount you tender is greater than the amount due;
I paid with a twenty and pocketed the change
Change
A thing that is different;
He inspected several changes before selecting one
Change
Coins of small denomination regarded collectively;
He had a pocketful of change
Change
Undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature;
She changed completely as she grew older
The weather changed last night
Change
Cause to change; make different; cause a transformation;
The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city
The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue
Change
Make or become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence;
Her mood changes in accordance with the weather
The supermarket's selection of vegetables varies according to the season
Change
Lay aside, abandon, or leave for another;
Switch to a different brand of beer
She switched psychiatrists
The car changed lanes
Change
Change clothes; put on different clothes;
Change before you go to the opera
Change
Exchange or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category;
Could you convert my dollars into pounds?
He changed his name
Convert centimeters into inches
Convert holdings into shares
Change
Give to, and receive from, one another;
Would you change places with me?
We have been exchanging letters for a year
Change
Change from one vehicle or transportation line to another;
She changed in Chicago on her way to the East coast
Change
Become deeper in tone;
His voice began to change when he was 12 years old
Her voice deepened when she whispered the password
Change
Remove or replace the coverings of;
Father had to learn how to change the baby
After each guest we changed the bed linens
Change
Coins of low denomination.
She gave me a dollar and I received 75 cents in change.
Change
(baseball) A change-up pitch.
Change
To be altered; to undergo variation; as, men sometimes change for the better.
For I am Lord, I change not.
Change
A public house; an alehouse.
They call an alehouse a change.
Change
Any order in which a number of bells are struck, other than that of the diatonic scale.
Four bells admit twenty-four changes in ringing.
Change
An event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another;
The change was intended to increase sales
This storm is certainly a change for the worse
The neighborhood had undergone few modifications since his last visit years ago
Change
A difference that is usually pleasant;
He goes to France for variety
It is a refreshing change to meet a woman mechanic
Common Curiosities
Is it correct to say "change your opinion" and "alter your opinion"?
Yes, both are correct, but "change your opinion" implies a more significant shift, while "alter your opinion" suggests a subtle adjustment.
Does altering always need human intervention?
While not exclusively, alter usually suggests an intentional act or intervention.
If I'm replacing my car's tires, would I use change or alter?
You'd use "change," as in "changing the tires," because it implies replacement.
Which word implies more permanence, change or alter?
Both can imply permanence, but change often indicates a more lasting shift, whereas alter can be more temporary and reversible.
Which word might I use if I'm talking about adjusting the hem of a dress?
You would most likely use "alter," as in "altering the hem of a dress."
When talking about coins, which word is more appropriate?
"Change" is more appropriate, as in "Do you have change for a ten-dollar bill?"
Can altering something mean it's completely different?
No, alter generally suggests a modification without a complete transformation.
Is change always a drastic transformation?
No, while change can indicate a drastic shift, it can also mean a minor variation depending on context.
Can we use change and alter interchangeably?
Not always. While they can be synonyms in some contexts, they often carry distinct nuances.
What's a common use of "alter" in terms of animals?
"Alter" can refer to spaying or neutering an animal.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
