modify

verb
mod·​i·​fy | \ ˈmä-də-ˌfī How to pronounce modify (audio) \
modified; modifying

Definition of modify

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to undergo change

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Other Words from modify

modifiability \ ˌmä-​də-​ˌfī-​ə-​ˈbi-​lə-​tē How to pronounce modifiability (audio) \ noun
modifiable \ ˈmä-​də-​ˌfī-​ə-​bəl How to pronounce modifiable (audio) \ adjective

Synonyms for modify

Synonyms

qualify

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Choose the Right Synonym for modify

change, alter, vary, modify mean to make or become different. change implies making either an essential difference often amounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another. changed the shirt for a larger size alter implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity. slightly altered the original design vary stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition. vary your daily routine modify suggests a difference that limits, restricts, or adapts to a new purpose. modified the building for use by the disabled

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

There's also the question of whether or not genetically modifying crops are harmful to health. Jaclyn London, Ms, Rd, Cdn, Good Housekeeping, "What Does "Organic" Actually Mean? Here's How to Decode the USDA Label, According to a Nutritionist," 15 July 2019 That mysterious artificially intelligent forces are modifying our everyday behavior is far from a new idea. Alejandro De La Garza, Time, "This AI Software Is 'Coaching' Customer Service Workers. Soon It Could Be Bossing You Around, Too," 8 July 2019 PreCentral By comparison, modifying webOS was a piece of cake. Dieter Bohn, The Verge, "The Palm Pre launched 10 years ago today, here’s what it meant to me," 6 June 2019 And in this case, examining how those internal states get modified by an experience or cue revealed something about the overall network connectivity. Quanta Magazine, "Brains Speed Up Perception by Guessing What’s Next," 2 May 2019 This technology works like a mirror if a mirror could do useful computation on the light bouncing off of it, reflecting back signal after it’s been modified by low-power electronics. Christopher Mims, WSJ, "Here Comes ‘Smart Dust,’ the Tiny Computers That Pull Power from the Air," 8 Nov. 2018 The policy of separating children when families enter the U.S. illegally at the southern border — modified by Trump last week — is broadly disliked by Florida voters: 46 percent strongly disapprove and 11 percent somewhat disapprove. Anthony Man, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Florida voters don't support immigrant family separation," 25 June 2018 Jail officials eventually covered the gap between the frame and the wall that made the beds a good anchoring point, with 178 beds modified by the end of April 2017, the report said. Cindy Chang, latimes.com, "LAPD hasn't taken basic measures to prevent suicides in its jails, scathing report says," 15 June 2018 The specifics of SDG&E’s proposal were modified by the commission so the utility has 14 days to respond. Rob Nikolewski, sandiegouniontribune.com, "California utilities commission OKs $776.5 million to boost electric vehicle use," 31 May 2018

These 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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First Known Use of modify

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

History and Etymology for modify

Middle English modifien, from Anglo-French modifier, from Latin modificare to measure, moderate, from modus

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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)

modify

verb
mod·​i·​fy | \ ˈmä-də-ˌfī How to pronounce modify (audio) \
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.”
mod·​i·​fy | \ ˈmäd-ə-ˌfī How to pronounce modify (audio) \
modified; modifying

Medical Definition of modify

: to make a change in modify behavior by the use of drugs