Definition of “alter” - English Dictionary

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“alter” in English

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alterverb

uk ​ /ˈɒl.tər/ us ​ /ˈɑːl.tɚ/

alter verb (CHANGE)

B2 [ I or T ] to change something, usually slightly, or to cause the characteristics of something to change:

We've had to alter some of our plans.
Although the cost of making phone calls is going up, the charge for connecting to the internet will not alter.
Giving up our car has radically altered our lifestyle.

› [ T ] to change the size of clothes so that they fit better:

I took the coat back to the shop to have it altered.

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(Definition of “alter” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“alter” in American English

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alterverb [ I/T ]

us ​ /ˈɔl·tər/

› to change a characteristic, often slightly, or to cause this to happen:

[ T ] The coat was too long, so I took it back to the store to have it altered.
alterable
adjective /ˈɔl·tər·ə·bəl/

›

Some things in life are not alterable.
alteration
noun [ C/U ] us ​ /ˌɔl·təˈreɪ·ʃən/

›

[ C ] I had to make some alterations in my research paper.

(Definition of “alter” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“alter” in Business English

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alterverb [ I or T ]

uk ​ /ˈɔːltər/ us ​

› to change the appearance, character, or structure of something, or to be changed in this way:

Just last week, the company agreed to alter some of its business practices.
If they want to continue to have enough workers to fill their contracts, the company will have to alter the way it does business.
Discovering new oil deposits could substantially alter the balance between supply and demand.
It was back in 2002 that the shape of the business began to alter.

(Definition of “alter” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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