modify
verb
mod·i·fy
| \ ˈmä-də-ˌfī
\
\
modified;
modifying
Definition of modify
1
: to make less extreme : moderate
traffic rules were modified to let him pass— Van Wyck Brooks
2a
: to limit or restrict the meaning of especially in a grammatical construction
In the phrase "the red hat," the adjective "red" modifies the noun "hat."
b
: to change (a vowel) by umlaut
3a
: to make minor changes in
had to modify his plan
b
: to make basic or fundamental changes in often to give a new orientation to or to serve a new end
the wing of a bird is an arm modified for flying
: to undergo change
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Other Words from modify
modifiability
\ ˌmä-də-ˌfī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē
\
noun
\
noun
modifiable
\ ˈmä-də-ˌfī-ə-bəl
\
adjective
\
adjective
Examples of modify in a Sentence
We can help you modify an existing home or build a new one.
He modified the recipe by using oil instead of butter.
She has modified her views on the matter.
The design was modified to add another window.
We played a modified version of our favorite game.
Adjectives usually modify nouns, and adverbs usually modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
In the phrase “a red hat,” the adjective “red” modifies the noun “hat.”
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Recent Examples on the Web
Three of them, in Japan, England, and the US (Tennessee), produce the Leaf, allowing the hatchback to be modified for local markets. — Michael J. Coren, Quartz, "Tesla’s Model 3 dominates US electric cars sales. The Nissan Leaf is winning around the world," 7 Sep. 2019 Alabama has modified its offense as part of the transition to coordinator Steve Sarkisian. — Christopher Smith, al, "Betting: Alabama must solve running game against New Mexico State," 2 Sep. 2019 Not to be redistributed, copied or modified in any way. — Los Angeles Times, "Flight shame: Airlines are under rising pressure to cut their carbon emissions," 28 Aug. 2019 Scientists at the Weill Cornell Medical College are reportedly testing out ways to modify genes in sperm in order to prevent genetic disorders passed on from males. — Sy Mukherjee, Fortune, "Obamacare Plans Are Turning a Profit: Brainstorm Health," 22 Aug. 2019 The lawsuit, filed late Tuesday in Nevada, alleges AR-15 style rifles could be easily modified to fire like automatic weapons. — Washington Post, "The Latest: Gun group says no basis for Vegas shooting suit," 5 July 2019 The lawsuit, filed late Tuesday in Nevada, alleges AR-15 style rifles could be easily modified to fire like automatic weapons. — Michael Balsamo, BostonGlobe.com, "Family of Las Vegas mass shooting victim sues gun makers," 3 July 2019 The complaint, filed in state court in Nevada Tuesday, alleges that the makers of the 12 different semiautomatic rifles used in the mass shooting knew they could be easily modified to fire like fully automatic machine guns. — Zusha Elinson, WSJ, "Gun Manufacturers Sued Over Las Vegas Mass Shooting," 3 July 2019 The suit said the manufacturers were not only aware the weapons could easily be modified to fire automatically, but also promoted their ferocious firepower. — Ray Sanchez And Melissa Alonso, CNN, "Family of Las Vegas concert shooting victim sues gunmakers," 3 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'modify.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for modify
modify
verb
English Language Learners Definition of modify
: to change some parts of (something) while not changing other parts
grammar
: to limit or describe the meaning of (a word or group of words)
See the full definition for modify in the English Language Learners Dictionary
modify
verb
mod·i·fy
| \ ˈmä-də-ˌfī
\
\
modified;
modifying
Kids Definition of modify
1
: to make changes in
modify a plan
2
: to lower or reduce in amount or scale
In a little while familiarity modified their fears …— Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer
3
: to limit in meaning : qualify
The word “green” in the phrase “green gloves” modifies the word “gloves.”
modify
transitive verb
mod·i·fy
| \ ˈmäd-ə-ˌfī
\
\
modified;
modifying
Medical Definition of modify
: to make a change in
modify behavior by the use of drugs