What does modify mean?

Definitions for modify
ˈmɒd əˌfaɪmod·i·fy

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word modify.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. modifyverb

    make less severe or harsh or extreme

    "please modify this letter to make it more polite"; "he modified his views on same-gender marriage"

  2. modify, qualifyverb

    add a modifier to a constituent

  3. change, alter, modifyverb

    cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

    "The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"; "The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue"

Wiktionary

  1. modifyverb

    To make partial changes to.

  2. modifyverb

    To be or become modified.

  3. Etymology: From modifien, from modifier, from modificare, from modificari, from modus + facere; see mode.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. To Modifyverb

    Etymology: modifier, French.

    Yet there is that property in all letters, of aptness to be conjoined in syllables and words through the voluble motions of the organs, that they modify and discriminate the voice without appearing to discontinue it. William Holder.

    The middle parts of the broad beam of white light which fell upon the paper, did, without any confine of shadow to modify it, become coloured all over with one uniform colour, the colour being always the same in the middle of the paper as at the edges. Isaac Newton, Opticks.

    After all this discanting and modifying upon the matter, there is hazard on the yielding side. Roger L'Estrange.

    Of his grace
    He modifies his first severe decree,
    The keener edge of battle to rebate. Dryden.

ChatGPT

  1. modify

    To modify means to change, alter, or adjust something, often with the purpose of improving it or correcting it. This could apply to a wide range of things including behavior, a plan, an object, a project, or a document.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Modifyverb

    to change somewhat the form or qualities of; to alter somewhat; as, to modify a contrivance adapted to some mechanical purpose; to modify the terms of a contract

  2. Modifyverb

    to limit or reduce in extent or degree; to moderate; to qualify; to lower

  3. Etymology: [F. modifier, L. modificare, modificari; modus limit + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Mode, and -fy.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Modify

    mod′i-fī, v.t. to set bounds to: to moderate: to change the form or quality of: to alter slightly: to vary.—adj. Modifī′able.—n. Modificā′tion, act of modifying or state of being modified: result of alteration or change: changed shape or condition.—adjs. Mod′ificātive, Mod′ificātory, tending to modify: causing change of form or condition.—n. Mod′ifīer. [Fr. modifier—L. modificāre, -ātummodus, a measure, facĕre, to make.]

Editors Contribution

  1. modify

    To make a change.

    WE had to modify the data to ensure the outputs were accurate.


    Submitted by MaryC on March 16, 2020  

Matched Categories

British National Corpus

  1. Verbs Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'modify' in Verbs Frequency: #667

How to pronounce modify?

How to say modify in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of modify in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of modify in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of modify in a Sentence

  1. Stephanie Mansour:

    At the end of the day, you are your own best trainer and instructor. If it doesn't feel good to eat before a workout, then don't, but if you're doing the same things and not happy with your results, then change it up. Eat before the workout, eat after the workout, change up the workouts, and ultimately listen to your body and modify your strategies to reach your goals.

  2. William Henry Harrison:

    The broad foundation upon which our Constitution rests being the people—a breath of theirs having made, as a breath can unmake, change, or modify it—it can be assigned to none of the great divisions of government but to that of democracy.

  3. Petroperu President German Velasquez:

    Specific elements in the contract do not satisfy the finance ministry, the goal is to modify the partnership contract to lift those caveats.

  4. Stephen Breyer:

    You have to figure out what you're going to say in conference to a greater extent, to get it across simply, you have to be flexible, hear other people, and be prepared to modify your views. But that doesn't mean( going in with) a blank mind.

  5. Anthony Fauci:

    What we will do and are doing already is making preparations for the possibility that down the pipe, down the line, we may need to modify and upgrade the vaccines. We don’t need to do that right now, the best way to prevent the further evolution of these mutants is to vaccinate as many people as possible with the vaccines that we have currently available to us.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

modify#1#3475#10000

Translations for modify

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"modify." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/modify>.

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    (used of persons) bound to a tract of land; hence their service is transferable from owner to owner
    A omnifarious
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