Definitions for modify
ˈmɒd əˌfaɪmod·i·fy

Princeton's WordNet(4.50 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. modify(verb)

   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, qualify(verb)

   add a modifier to a constituent

3. change, alter, modify(verb)

   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(2.80 / 5 votes)Rate this definition:

1. modify(Verb)

   To make partial changes to.

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

2. modify(Verb)

   To be or become modified.

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

Webster Dictionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Modify(verb)

   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

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

2. Modify(verb)

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

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

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

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, -ātum—modus, a measure, facĕre, to make.]

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

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  

British National Corpus

1. Verbs Frequency

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

How to pronounce modify?

1. Alex

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

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. 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.

2. Sourabh Gupta:

   North Korea has shut the door on China’s efforts to modify his behavior so far.

3. Elizabeth Cohen:

   Knowing your behavioral and emotional goals is the first step of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, because you need to identify behavior you want to modify.

4. Kimberly Mielcarek:

   There is no credible evidence that the incident could affect North American grid operations and no plans to modify existing regulations or guidance based on this incident.

5. Shawn Crispin:

   President Duterte should come down on the side of press freedom and scrap the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, or at least modify the act to ensure that the media can not be hit with bogus incitement charges, the legislation as written is a direct threat to journalists, and should be rejected.

Images & Illustrations of modify

Popularity rank by frequency of use