Definitions for modify
ˈmɒd əˌfaɪmod·i·fy

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:4.5 / 2 votes

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"

WiktionaryRate this definition:2.8 / 5 votes

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 DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

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.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

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 DictionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

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 DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

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 ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

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. David Conroy:

   Behavior change techniques are the tools that have emerged out of decades-old research on behavior change which have shown some level of effectiveness at helping people to modify their behavior.

2. 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.

3. Norman Vincent Peale:

   When you pray for anyone you tend to modify your personal attitude toward him. You lift the relationship thereby to a higher level. The best in the other person begins to flow out toward you as your best flows toward him. In the meeting of the best in each a higher unity of understanding is established.

4. Norman Cousins:

   A library, to modify the famous metaphor of Socrates, should be the delivery room for the birth of ideas-a place where history comes to life.

5. 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.

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