change
She's just changed jobs .
to remove one set of clothes and put a different set on yourself or a young child, especially a baby, or to remove dirty sheets from a bed and put clean ones on it
He changes his clothes every day.
The dollar's rate changes constantly.
Oxford Essential Dictionary
verb (changes, changing, changed )
1 to become different:
She has changed a lot since the last time I saw her – she looks much older.
Water changes into ice when it gets very cold.
2 to make something different:
At this restaurant they change the menu every week.
3 to put or take something in place of another thing:
My new watch didn't work, so I took it back to the shop and changed it.
I went to the bank to change my euros into dollars.
Can you change a £5 note please? I need some pound coins.
4 (also get changed) to put on different clothes:
I need to change before I go out.
You need to get changed for football.
5 to get off a train or bus and get on another one:
I have to change trains at Kings Cross.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
change
I. change1 S1 W1 /tʃeɪndʒ/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: adjective: changeable, interchangeable, changed ≠ UNCHANGED, changing ≠ unchanging, changeless; noun: change, interchange, interchangeability; verb: change, interchange; adverb: interchangeably]
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: changier, from Latin cambiare 'to exchange']
1. BECOME DIFFERENT/MAKE SOMETHING DIFFERENT [intransitive and transitive] to become different, or to make something become different:
Susan has changed a lot since I last saw her.
Changing your eating habits is the best way to lose weight.
The leaves on trees change colour in the autumn.
change (from something) to something
He changed from being a nice lad to being rude and unhelpful.
change into
The hissing sound gradually changed into a low hum.
change somebody/something into something
A witch had changed him into a mouse.
change something to something
Mueller changed his name to Miller when he became a U.S. citizen.
2. START DOING/USING SOMETHING DIFFERENT [intransitive and transitive] to stop doing or using one thing, and start doing or using something else instead SYN switch:
She changed jobs in May.
change (from something) to something
The company has recently changed to a more powerful computer system.
The ship changed course and headed south.
The company has had to change direction because of developments in technology.
Piper awkwardly tried to change the subject (=talk about something else).
3. REPLACE SOMETHING [transitive] to put or use something new or different in place of something else, especially because it is old, damaged, or broken:
Three boys were changing a tyre by the side of the road.
When I lost my keys, we had to change all the locks.
change something (from something) to something
The time of the meeting has been changed from 11 a.m. to 10:30.
How often do you change cars (=buy a new car and sell the old one)?
4. change your mind to change your decision, plan, or opinion about something:
Her father tried to get her to change her mind.
change your mind about
If you change your mind about the job, just give me a call.
5. change sides to leave one party, group etc and join an opposing party, group etc:
It’s quite rare for politicians to change sides.
6. CLOTHES
a) [intransitive and transitive] to take off your clothes and put on different ones:
Francis came in while Jay was changing.
Change your dress – that one looks dirty.
change into/out of
Sara changed into her swimsuit and ran out for a quick swim.
You’d better go and get changed.
b) [transitive] to put a clean ↑nappy on a baby, or to put clean clothes on a baby or small child:
I bathed him and changed his diaper.
Can you change the baby?
7. BED [transitive] to take the dirty ↑sheets off a bed and put on clean ones
8. EXCHANGE GOODS [transitive] British English
a) to take back to a shop something that you have bought and get something different instead, especially because there is something wrong with it SYN exchange American English
change something for something
I bought these gloves for my daughter, but they’re too large. Can I change them for a smaller size?
b) to give a customer something different instead of what they have bought, especially because there is something wrong with it SYN exchange American English:
I’m sure the shop will change them for you.
9. EXCHANGE MONEY [transitive]
a) to get smaller units of money that add up to the same value as a larger unit:
Can you change a £20 note?
b) to get money from one country for the same value of money from another country
change something into/for something
I want to change my dollars into pesos, please.
10. TRAINS/BUSES/AIRCRAFT [intransitive and transitive] to get off one train, bus, or aircraft and into another in order to continue your journey
change at
Passengers for Liverpool should change at Crewe.
change trains/buses/planes etc
I had to change planes in Denver.
all change! (=used to tell passengers to get off a train because it does not go any further)
11. change hands if property changes hands, it starts to belong to someone else:
The house has changed hands three times in the last two years.
12. change places (with somebody)
a) to give someone your place and take their place:
Would you mind changing places with me so I can sit next to my friend?
b) to take someone else’s social position or situation in life instead of yours:
She may be rich, but I wouldn’t want to change places with her.
13. GEAR [intransitive and transitive] to put the engine of a vehicle into a higher or lower ↑gear in order to go faster or slower
change (into/out of) gear
Change into second gear as you approach the corner.
change up/down British English:
Change down before you get to the hill.
14. change your tune informal to start expressing a different attitude and reacting in a different way, after something has happened:
The question is, will the president change his tune on taxes?
15. WIND [intransitive] if the wind changes, it starts to blow in a different direction
16. change your spots to change your character completely:
US business has changed its spots in recent years.
⇨ chop and change at ↑chop1(3)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adverbs
▪ dramatically/drastically/radically (=a lot) People’s work environment has changed dramatically in the past twenty years.
▪ completely His life had completely changed since he met Anya.
▪ considerably He has changed considerably in four years.
▪ significantly The legal system has changed significantly since the rule was established.
▪ fundamentally The political situation has fundamentally changed.
▪ rapidly/quickly The market for phones is changing rapidly.
▪ slowly/gradually Things are gradually changing.
▪ change overnight (=very quickly) Old habits cannot be changed overnight.
■ nouns
▪ changing circumstances/conditions The human brain adapts quickly to changing conditions.
▪ changing attitudes Changing attitudes cause traditional ways of life to disappear.
▪ the changing role of somebody the changing role of women in society
▪ changing patterns of work/behaviour etc Changing patterns of work mean that more people are able to work from home.
▪ a changing environment In order to survive, you must adapt to a changing environment.
▪ a changing world Children are growing up in a changing world.
▪ changing times (=a period of time when a lot is changing) We live in changing times.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to change something
▪ change to make someone or something different: Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do to change the situation. | Being at college has changed her – she’s much more confident now.
▪ alter especially written tochange something so that it is better or more suitable: You can alter the colour and size of the image using a remote control. | Can we alter the date of the meeting?
▪ adapt to change something slightly in order to improve it or make it more suitable: How much would it cost to adapt the existing equipment? | You can adapt the recipe to suit your own requirements.
▪ adjust to make small changes in the position or level of something in order to improve it or make it more suitable: How do you adjust the volume on the television? | He adjusted his tie in the mirror.
▪ modify especially written to make small changes to something such as a piece of equipment, a set of ideas, or a way of behaving in order to improve it or use it in a different way: He’s modified his opinions since then. | a modified version of the original program.
▪ reform to change a law, system, organization etc so that it is fairer or more effective: plans to reform the tax system | Health care needs to be completely reformed.
▪ revise to change a plan, idea, law etc because of new information and ideas: In July, China revised the rules for foreign investment. | The findings could force the scientists to revise their ideas about climate change.
▪ reorganize to change the way that a system or organization works: We’ve had to reorganize our database | During the 1980s, the government reorganized the civil service.
▪ restructure to make big changes to the way something is organized, especially a large political or economic system or a big company, in order to make it more effective: The company has been restructured from top to bottom.
■ to change something completely
▪ transform to change something completely, especially so that it is much better: Well, you’ve certainly transformed this place – it looks great! | Putin transformed the Russian economy.
▪ revolutionize to completely and permanently change the way people do something or think about something, especially because of a new idea or invention: Computers have revolutionized the way we work. | This important discovery revolutionized our understanding of the universe.
■ to change something in order to deceive people
▪ distort to explain facts, statements etc in a way that makes them seem different from what they really are: The judge said that she had deliberately tried to distort the facts. | Don’t try to distort the truth.
▪ twist to dishonestly change the meaning of a piece of information or of something that someone has said, in order to get an advantage for yourself or to support your own opinion: He accused reporters of twisting his words. | In her article she twisted the meaning of what I said.
▪ misrepresent to give people a wrong idea about someone or their opinions, by what you write or say: I hope I have not misrepresented her opinion. | He’s taking legal action to stop the film, claiming it grossly misrepresents him.
change something ↔ around phrasal verb
to move things into different positions:
When we’d changed the furniture around, the room looked bigger.
change over phrasal verb
to stop doing or using one thing and start doing or using another ⇨ changeover:
Complete all the exercises on one leg, then change over.
change over to
We hope to change over to the new software by next month.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
change
change [change changes changed changing] verb, noun [tʃeɪndʒ] [tʃeɪndʒ]
verb
BECOME/MAKE DIFFERENT
1. intransitive to become different
• Rick hasn't changed. He looks exactly the same as he did at school.
• changing attitudes towards education
• Her life changed completely when she won the lottery.
2. transitive ~ sb/sth to make sb/sth different
• Fame hasn't really changed him.
• Computers have changed the way people work.
3. intransitive, transitive to pass or make sb/sth pass from one state or form into another
• Wait for the traffic lights to change.
• ~ (from A) to/into B The lights changed from red to green.
• Caterpillars change into butterflies.
• ~ sb/sth (from A) to/into B With a wave of her magic wand, she changed the frog into a handsome prince.
4. transitive ~ sth to stop having one state, position or direction and start having another
• Leaves change colour in autumn.
• The wind has changed direction.
• Our ship changed course.
REPLACE
5. transitive to replace one thing, person, service, etc. with sth new or different
• ~ sb/sth I want to change my doctor.
• That back tyre needs changing.
• ~ sb/sth (for sb/sth) We change our car every two years.
• We changed the car for a bigger one.
• ~ sth (to sth) Marie changed her name when she got married.
• She changed her name to his.
EXCHANGE
6. transitive (used with a plural object) to exchange positions, places, etc. with sb else, so that you have what they have, and they have what you have
• ~ sth At half-time the teams change ends.
• Can we change seats?
• ~ sth with sb Can I change seats with you?
CLOTHES
7. intransitive, transitive to put on different or clean clothes
• I went into the bedroom to change.
• ~ into sth She changed into her swimsuit.
• ~ out of sth You need to change out of those wet things.
• ~ sth (especially NAmE) I didn't have time to change clothes before the party.
• (especially BrE) I didn't have time to get changed before the party (= to put different clothes on).
BABY
8. transitive ~ sb/sth to put clean clothes or a clean nappy / diaper on a baby
• She can't even change a nappy.
• The baby needs changing.
• There are baby changing facilities in all our stores.
BED
9. transitive ~ sth to put clean sheets, etc. on a bed
• to change the sheets
• Could you help me change the bed?
MONEY
10. transitive to exchange money into the money of another country
• ~ sth Where can I change my traveller's cheques?
• ~ sth into sth to change dollars into yen
11. transitive to exchange money for the same amount in different coins or notes
• ~ sth Can you change a £20 note?
• ~ sth for/into sth to change a dollar bill for four quarters
GOODS
12. transitive ~ sth (for sth) (BrE) to exchange sth that you have bought for sth else, especially because there is sth wrong with it; to give a customer a new item because there is sth wrong with the one they have bought
• This shirt I bought's too small— I'll have to change it for a bigger one.
• Of course we'll change it for a larger size, Madam.
BUS/TRAIN/PLANE
13. intransitive, transitive to go from one bus, train, etc. to another in order to continue a journey
• Where do I have to change?
• Change at Reading (for London).
• ~ sth I stopped in Moscow only to change planes.
see also unchanging
more at chop and change at chop v., a leopard cannot change its spots at leopard, change/swap places at place n.
Verb forms:
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French change (noun), changer (verb), from late Latin cambiare, from Latin cambire ‘barter’, probably of Celtic origin.
Thesaurus:
change verb
1. I
• Rick hasn't changed much in 20 years.
alter • • vary • • alternate • • fluctuate • |especially journalism shift • • swing •
change/shift/swing from sth to sth
vary/alternate/fluctuate/swing between A and B
change/alter/vary/fluctuate/shift/swing dramatically/sharply
Change or alter? Alter is often used when sth has changed only slightly; change is more frequent and has a much wider range, often suggesting a complete change to sth important, or sth which is in the process of changing:
• Her life changed completely when she won the lottery.
¤ Her life altered completely.:
• changing attitudes to education
¤ altering attitudes to education
2. T
• IT has changed the way people work.
alter • • adapt • • shift • • vary • • adjust • • revise • • tailor • • modify • • amend •
change/alter/adapt/adjust/revise/modify your ideas
change/alter/shift/adjust/revise/modify your/sb's attitude/opinion
change/alter/shift/vary the emphasis
change/alter/adapt/revise/modify/amend a text
Change or alter? Alter is often used when sth does not change
• It doesn't alter the way I feel.
Change has a much wider range of uses, including particular collocations such as change your mind, change your name and change the subject.
3. I, T
• Caterpillars change into butterflies.
turn • • transform • • convert • • translate • |formal metamorphose • |biology evolve • • mutate •
change/turn/transform sth/convert/metamorphose/evolve/mutate from sth into sth
change/turn/transform sth/convert/evolve/mutate rapidly (into sth)
change/turn/transform sth/convert/evolve quickly/slowly/gradually (into sth)
Change or turn? Change is only used in cases where sth occurs naturally, automatically or by magic. Turn can also be used when people use their effort or skill to change one thing or situation into sth different, or when circumstances change a situation:
• There are plans to turn the old station into a hotel.
¤ There are plans to change the old station into a hotel.:
• A minor disagreement turned into a major crisis.
¤ A minor disagreement changed into a major crisis.
4. T
• Can I change seats with you?
exchange • • swap/swop • • switch • • replace • • substitute • • reverse • • barter • |especially AmE journalism trade •
change/exchange/swap/switch/substitute/barter/trade A for B
change/exchange/swap/trade places
change/replace a battery/bulb/fuse/tyre/wheel
5. T (especially spoken)
• Where can I change my traveller's cheques?
exchange • • cash • • cash sth in •
change/cash traveller's cheques
change/exchange your currency/pounds/dollars into pounds/dollars/the local currency
Example Bank:
• Attitudes to marriage are changing fast.
• Caracas changed from a small town into a busy city.
• Her voice changed subtly.
• His anger changed to sadness.
• Jane has changed a lot since she went to college.
• Our way of life has changed dramatically over the last ten years.
• Technology has forever changed the way businesses operate.
• The language is changing all the time.
• The place had changed out of all recognition.
• The town has actually changed very little in the last hundred years.
• Don't keep changing the subject.
• Fame hasn't really changed him.
• I didn't change my name when I got married.
• I didn't have time to change clothes before the party.
• Information technology has changed the way people work.
• It can be hard to get people to change their habits.
• Rick hasn't changed. He looks exactly the same as he did at school.
• The fruit changes colour as it ripens.
• The storekeeper changed my dollar bill for four quarters.
• This incident changed the whole course of events.
• We examined changing attitudes towards education.
• We needed to change our dollars into the local currency.
• What made you change your mind?
• Where can I change my traveller's cheques?
• With a wave of her wand, she changed the frog into a handsome prince.
Idioms: change for the worse ▪ change hands ▪ change horses in midstream ▪ change of heart ▪ change of mind ▪ change your mind ▪ change your tune ▪ change your ways ▪ get no change out of somebody
Derived: change back ▪ change down ▪ change over ▪ change something back ▪ change something round ▪ change up
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
change / tʃeɪndʒ / verb (BECOME DIFFERENT)
A1 [ T ] to exchange one thing for another thing, especially of a similar type:
She's just changed jobs .
Let's change the subject (= talk about something different) .
A2 [ I or T ] to make or become different:
I almost didn't recognize her - she'd changed so much.
That was 20 years ago and things have changed since then.
Nothing changes, does it - I've been away two years and the office still looks exactly the same.
People have changed their diets a lot over the past few years.
I'm going to change my hairstyle.
B1 [ I or T ] to take something you have bought back to a shop and exchange it for something else:
I had to change those trousers I bought for (= take them back to the shop in order to get) a bigger pair.
change your mind B1 to form a new opinion or make a new decision about something that is different from your old one:
If you change your mind about coming tonight, just give me a call.
When I first met him I didn't like him but I've changed my mind.
change for the better to improve:
Her attitude has definitely changed for the better since she started this new job.
change places to be in someone else's situation:
I wouldn't change places with him for the world!
change your ways to improve the bad parts of your behaviour:
If he wants to carry on living here, he's going to have to change his ways and learn to be a bit more tidy.
change / tʃeɪndʒ / verb [ I or T ] (TRANSPORT)
A2 to get off a train, bus, etc. and catch another in order to continue a journey:
I had to change (trains) twice to get there.
Change at Peterborough for York.
change / tʃeɪndʒ / verb [ T ] (MONEY)
A2 to get or give money in exchange for money, either because you want it in smaller units, or because you want the same value in foreign money:
Could you change a £10 note ( for two fives), please?
Could you change a £5 note for me?
I need to change my dollars for/into English money.
change / tʃeɪndʒ / verb [ I or T ] (CLOTHES/BEDS)
A2 to remove one set of clothes and put a different set on yourself or a young child, especially a baby, or to remove dirty sheets from a bed and put clean ones on it:
You don't need to change - you look great as you are.
I'll just change into (= get dressed in) something a bit smarter.
Give me five minutes to change out of (= remove) my work clothes and I'll come out with you.
How often do you think he changes his shirt?
Could you change the baby (= the baby's nappy) ?
I've changed the sheets /the bed (= the sheets on the bed) in the guest room.
change / tʃeɪndʒ / verb [ I ] (WIND/SEA)
When the wind or the tide (= the rise and fall of the sea) changes, it starts to move in a different direction:
The tide is starting to change.
change / tʃeɪndʒ / verb [ I or T ] ( US usually shift ) (SPEED)
to put a vehicle into a different gear, usually in order to change the speed at which it is moving:
to change gear
I changed into fourth (gear).
UK Change down to go round the corner.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
change
[tʃe͟ɪnʤ]
♦
changes, changing, changed
1) N-VAR: usu with supp If there is a change in something, it becomes different.
→ See also sea change
The ambassador appealed for a change in US policy...
What is needed is a change of attitude on the part of architects...
There are going to have to be some drastic changes...
In Zaire political change is on its way...
1998 was an important year for everyone: a time of change.
2) N-SING (approval) If you say that something is a change or makes a change, you mean that it is enjoyable because it is different from what you are used to.
It is a complex system, but it certainly makes a change...
You're feeling the call of the new and could do with a change.
3) VERB If you change from one thing toanother, you stop using or doing the first one and start using or doing the second.
[V to n] His physician modified the dosage but did not change to a different medication...
[V n -ing/n to n] He changed from voting against to abstaining.
4) V-ERG When something changes or when you change it, it becomes different.
We are trying to detect and understand how the climates change...
[V from n to n] In the union office, the mood gradually changed from resignation to rage...
[V into n] She has now changed into a happy, self-confident woman...
[V n] They should change the law to make it illegal to own replica weapons...
[V n] Trees are changing colour earlier than last year...
[V-ed] He is a changed man since you left...
[V-ing] A changing world has put pressures on the corporation. [Also V n into n]
Syn:
alter
5) VERB To change something means to replace it with something new or different.
[V n] I paid ₤80 to have my car radio fixed and I bet all they did was change a fuse...
[V n] If you want to change your doctor there are two ways of doing it.
N-COUNT: oft a N of n
Change is also a noun. A change of leadership alone will not be enough.
6) VERB When you change your clothes or change, you take some or all of your clothes off and put on different ones.
[V n] Ben had merely changed his shirt...
They had allowed her to shower and change...
[V into/out of n] I changed into a tracksuit...
[get V-ed] I've got to get changed first. I've got to put my uniform on.
7) N-COUNT: N of n A change of clothes is an extra set of clothes that you take with you when you go to stay somewhere or to take part in an activity.
He stuffed a bag with a few changes of clothing.
8) VERB When you change a bed or change the sheets, you take off the dirty sheets and put on clean ones.
[V n] After changing the bed, I would fall asleep quickly...
[V n] I changed the sheets on your bed today.
9) VERB When you change a baby or change its nappy or diaper, you take off the dirty one and put on a clean one.
[V n] She criticizes me for the way I feed or change him...
[V-ed] He needs his nappy changed.
10) VERB When you change buses, trains, or planes or change, you get off one bus, train, or plane and get on to another in order to continue your journey.
[V n] At Glasgow I changed trains for Greenock...
We were turned off the train at Hanover, where we had to change.
11) VERB When you change gear or change into another gear, you move the gear lever on a car, bicycle, or other vehicle in order to use a different gear. [BRIT]
[V n] There were other sounds: a dog barking, a lorry changing gear...
[V prep] He looked up into the mirror as he changed through his gears.(in AM, use shift)
12) N-UNCOUNT Your change is the money that you receive when you pay for something with more money than it costs because you do not have exactly the right amount of money.
`There's your change.' - `Thanks very much.'...
They told the shopkeeper to keep the change.
13) N-UNCOUNT Change is coins, rather than paper money.
→ See also small change
Thieves ransacked the office, taking a sack of loose change...
The man in the store won't give him change for the phone unless he buys something.
14) N-UNCOUNT: usu N for n If you have change for larger notes, bills, or coins, you have the same value in smaller notes, bills, or coins, which you can give to someone in exchange.
The courier had change for a ₤10 note.
●
PHRASE If you make change, you give someone smaller notes, bills, or coins, in exchange for the same value of larger ones. [AM]
15) VERB When you change money, you exchange it for the same amount of money in a different currency, or in smaller notes, bills, or coins.
[V n] You can expect to pay the bank a fee of around 1% to 2% every time you change money...
[V n into n] If you travel frequently, find an agency that will change one foreign currency directly into another.
16) PHRASE: PHR with cl If you say that you are doing something or something is happening for a change, you mean that you do not usually do it or it does not usually happen, and you are happy to be doing it or that it is happening.
Now let me ask you a question, for a change...
Liz settled back in her seat, comfortably relaxed, enjoying being driven for a change.
Syn:
for once
17) to change for the better → see better
to change hands → see hand
a change of heart → see heart
to change your mind → see mind
to change places → see place
to ring the changes → see ring
to change the subject → see subject
to change tack → see tack
to change your tune → see tune
to change for the worse → see worse
Phrasal Verbs:
- change down
- change over
- change up
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
1change /ˈʧeɪnʤ/ verb chang·es; changed; chang·ing
1 a [no obj] : to become different
• Her mood changes every hour.
• He's changed in appearance. = His appearance has changed.
• The leaves change (in color) from green to red in the fall.
• The cars were stopped, waiting for the light/lights to change (from red to green).
• My, how you've changed!
• He changed from an optimist to/into a pessimist.
• The town has changed little in recent years.
• the changing times
• the ever-changing [=constantly changing] fashions of teenagers
b [+ obj] : to make (someone or something) different
• These events have changed me in my attitude to/toward life.
• He's changed his appearance with a new haircut. = His new haircut has changed his appearance.
• You can't change human nature.
• Life changed him from an optimist into a pessimist.
• The leaves change color from green to red in the fall.
- sometimes + up in informal U.S. English
• She changed up her daily routine.
• We need to change things up a little.
c [no obj] : to become something else - usually + to or into
• Winter changed to/into spring.
• The magician made the rope change into a ribbon and then change back into a rope.
2 a : to replace one thing or person with another
[+ obj]
• She changed her name when she got married.
• We'll have a better view if we change our seats for better ones. [=if we move to better seats]
• Could you change my appointment (from Monday) to Friday?
• change a record/CD
• France has changed its monetary unit from the franc to the euro.
• She's thinking about changing jobs/dentists. [=about leaving her current job/dentist and going to a new one]
• change the channel on the TV
• change a (flat) tire [=replace a flat tire with one that is not flat]
• Let's change the subject. [=let's talk about a different subject]
• I've changed my opinion/views on that subject. [=my opinion on that subject is different now from what it was before]
• The police did not believe her because she had changed her story. [=she said something different from what she had said before]
[no obj]
• While watching TV, he would constantly change from one channel to another.
• France has changed from the franc to the euro.
• The U.S. has been slow to change to the metric system.
b : to move from one position, place, etc., to another
[+ obj]
• Mary changed [=exchanged, switched] places/seats with John. = John and Mary changed places/seats (with each other).
• He may be rich and famous but I wouldn't change places with him for anything in the world.
• He was opposed to the project at first, but then he changed sides and voted in favor of it.
[no obj]
• Neither of them liked his seat so they changed with each other.
3 [+ obj]
a : to exchange one kind of money for another kind
• change money from dollars into pounds = change dollars into/for pounds
b : to exchange a larger bill for an equal amount in smaller bills or coins
• I need to change [=break] a $10 bill: can you give me a five and five ones?
4 a : to put on different clothes
[no obj]
• Let me change out of this suit into something more comfortable.
• Do they still change (to more formal clothes) for dinner?
• I'll need a few minutes to change before we go out.
[+ obj]
• I'll need a few minutes to change my clothes before we go out.
b [+ obj] : to put clean clothes on (a baby)
• change a baby = change a baby's diaper [=remove a baby's dirty diaper and replace it with a clean one]
c [+ obj] : to put a fresh covering on (a bed)
• change a bed = change the sheets on a bed [=remove dirty sheets from a bed and replace them with clean ones]
5 : to move from one plane, train, etc., to another in order to continue a journey
[+ obj]
• We'll have to change planes in Chicago. [=we'll have to get on another plane in Chicago]
[no obj]
• On the bus trip he had to change twice.
change around or Brit change round [phrasal verb] change (something) around/round or change around/round (something) : to change the order or positions of the parts of (something)
• When I got back everything in my office had been changed around.
• The schedule has been changed around a little.
change down [phrasal verb] Brit : to change to a lower gear in a motor vehicle : downshift
• Change down to go uphill.
change gear/gears
- see 1gear
change hands : to go from one owner to another
• The property has changed hands many times in recent decades. [=the property has been sold many times]
• The restaurant recently changed hands. [=the restaurant was recently bought by a new owner]
change horses in midstream
- see 1horse
change over [phrasal verb] change over or change (something) over or change over (something) : to go from one system, method, etc., to another or to change (one system, method, etc.) to another
• It will take a week to change over from the old computer network to the new one.
• It will take a week to change the old computer network over to the new one.
- see also changeover
change someone's/your mind
- see 1mind
change up [phrasal verb] Brit : to change to a higher gear in a motor vehicle : upshift
• Change up on the highway.
- see also 1change 1b (above)
change your tune
- see 1tune
change your ways
- see 1way
- chang·er noun, pl -ers [count]
• a CD changer
• a money changer
