ENGLISH
REFERENCE

modification

n. C / U
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˌmɑdəfəˈkeɪʃən// UK //mˌɒdɪfɪkˈeɪʃən// mod·i·fi·ca·tion Archaic

n. a small change made to something to improve it or make it work better. You use this word when the basic thing stays the same but some details are different.

n. the act or process of making limited changes to something; a slight alteration in form, character, or function.


SIMPLE

The car needs a small modification to run on electricity.

CONTEXTUAL

After the first round of testing, the engineers suggested a modification to the software to prevent it from crashing.

COMPLEX

The architect proposed a slight modification to the original floor plan to allow more natural light into the central living area without increasing the total construction cost.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English modificatioune, from Middle French modification and its etymon Latin modificātiō (“a measuring”), from modificāre (“to limit, control, modify”); see modify. By surface analysis, modify + -ication.

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'to' when indicating the object being changed.

Pitfall

make a modification of the planmake a modification to the planWhen describing a change made to a specific object or document, 'to' is the standard preposition.

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