Definitions for modify
ˈmɒd əˌfaɪmod·i·fy

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

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(2.80 / 5 votes)Rate this definition:

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(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. To Modifyverb

   Etymology: modifier, French.

   1. To change the form or accidents of any thing; to shape.

   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.

   2. To soften; to moderate.

   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.

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

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(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  

Matched Categories

1. • Add
   • Change
   • Grammar

British National Corpus

1. Verbs Frequency

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

How to pronounce modify?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

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. Quentin Crisp:

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

2. Inspector General John Roth:

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

3. Phyllis Zee:

   From a clinical standpoint, I think it highlights the importance for health care providers to routinely ask patients about napping and excessive daytime sleepiness and evaluate for other contributing conditions to potentially modify the risk for cardiovascular disease.

4. Mark Meadows:

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

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.

Popularity rank by frequency of use