alter

Definitions

Straight from Latin alter, 'the other of two.' To alter something is to make it other than it was — to change it. The everyday tailoring sense (alter a dress) is the same idea applied to clothing: making it different to fit.

Why It Means This

Note the difference from 'change': alter usually means a partial modification, not a wholesale replacement. You alter the wording of a sentence (tweak it) rather than change the whole document. The 'other-of-two' origin fits: you nudge something toward a slightly different version of itself.

Common Collocations

• 1.alter significantly显著改变
• 2.alter course改变方向
• 3.alter dramatically彻底改变
• 4.alter a plan更改计划

Example Sentences

• 1.

  We had to alter our plans when the weather turned bad.

• 2.

  The tailor can alter the jacket to fit your shoulders.

• 3.

  Nothing he said could alter her decision.