English Reference
Noun

modifier

n.
C1 Advanced US /ˈmɑdəˌfaɪɝ/ mod·i·fi·er UK spelling modifiers Computing Grammar Programming

n.a word or phrase that adds extra information to another word to make it more specific. In computing, it is a key that changes the meaning of another key when pressed together.

n.a word or phrase that qualifies or limits the meaning of another word. In a technical context, it refers to a key that alters the function of another key when pressed simultaneously.


SIMPLE

The word 'very' is a common modifier.

CONTEXTUAL

In the sentence 'the tall blue house', 'tall' and 'blue' are both modifiers for 'house'.

COMPLEX

The programmer added a logical modifier to the condition to ensure the loop would only execute if the variable met three specific criteria simultaneously.


From modify + -er.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated