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.

2. modify(Verb)

   To be or become modified.

Origin: 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

2. Modify(verb)

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

Origin: [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.]

British National Corpus

1. Verbs Frequency

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

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. Sourabh Gupta:

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

2. Mark Meadows:

   There's a few things that we're going to try to modify and make sure we get right.

3. Inspector General John Roth:

   Incidents like this highlight the need for TSA to modify their pre-check procedures.

4. Quentin Crisp:

   Though intelligence is powerless to modify character, it is a dab hand at finding euphemisms for its weaknesses.

5. State John Kerry:

   It is incorrect when it says that Congress can actually modify terms of an agreement at any time. That is flat wrong.

Images & Illustrations of modify

Popularity rank by frequency of use