altering
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.making a small change to something to improve it or make it fit better.
v.making modifications to the character, appearance, or structure of something. Transitive — requires an object such as a plan, garment, or document.
Simple“The tailor is altering my suit so that the jacket fits my shoulders perfectly.”
In context“The architect suggested altering the original floor plan to allow more natural light into the central living area.”
UsageOften used with physical objects like clothing or abstract concepts like plans and schedules.
Antonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the action of making changes to something.
n.the act or process of making a change or modification. Functions as a gerund in this sense.
Simple“Altering the schedule at the last minute caused a lot of confusion for the team.”
In context“Altering the chemical composition of the compound resulted in a significantly more stable reaction during the second phase of testing.”
Synonyms
“New research suggests the gene variant may begin altering brain activity well before memory problems become noticeable.”
“Decreased sea ice cover, changing wind patterns and warming ocean temperatures are already altering krill habitat and the Southern Ocean food web.”