# change

/ˈtʃeɪndʒ/ (US) · /tʃˈeɪndʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/change
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to become or make different

verb · CEFR A1

to become different, or to make someone or something different.

For teachers: to undergo a transformation or to cause a person or object to become different in nature, appearance, or quality.

- The weather can change very quickly in the mountains, so bring a jacket.
- The city has changed significantly over the last decade, evolving from a quiet industrial hub into a vibrant center for technology and the arts.

### 2. to replace

verb · CEFR A2

to stop using one thing and start using another instead.

For teachers: to substitute one thing for another of the same type.

- I need to change my light bulb because it stopped working.
- The manager decided to change the supplier after several shipments arrived late and the quality of the raw materials began to decline.

### 3. to put on different clothes

verb · CEFR A2

to take off your clothes and put on different ones.

For teachers: to remove one's clothing and put on different garments; often used without a direct object.

- Give me ten minutes to change before we go out to dinner.
- After the long hike through the muddy woods, the children had to change into dry clothes before they were allowed back into the car.

### 4. to switch vehicles

verb · CEFR B1

to get off one bus, train, or plane and get on another to continue your journey.

For teachers: to transfer from one public transport vehicle to another in order to reach a destination.

- You have to change at the next station to get the blue line.
- Passengers traveling to the suburbs will need to change at the central terminal, as the direct service is currently suspended for maintenance.

### 5. the act of becoming different

noun · CEFR A1

the process or result of something becoming different.

For teachers: the act, process, or result of altering or modifying something.

- We need a change of plan because the park is closed today.
- The sudden change in government policy caught many investors by surprise, leading to a period of uncertainty in the local stock market.

### 6. coins or returned money

noun · CEFR A1

money in the form of coins, or the money you get back when you pay with a larger note.

For teachers: money in the form of coins; also refers to the balance of money returned to a purchaser after a payment.

- I have some loose change in my pocket for the parking meter.
- The cashier handed him his change, but he didn't realize until later that he had been given a five-pound note instead of a ten.

## Examples

- We need a change in the weather before we can go sailing.
- The new manager introduced a major change to the schedule, giving everyone an extra day off each month.
- While technological change often disrupts established industries, it simultaneously creates entirely new sectors that demand different skills and innovative approaches to problem-solving.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.