al‧ter S3 W3 AC / ɔltə $ ɒltər / 动词

1 [不及物和及物动词] to change, or to make someone or something change :

Her face hadn’t altered much over the years.

The city centre has altered beyond recognition (= changed very much ) .

Nothing can alter the fact that the refugees are our responsibility.

2 [及物动词] to make a piece of clothing longer, wider etc so that it fits

have/get something altered

She had the dress altered for the wedding.

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.