alter
gb/ˈɔltɚ/ us/ˈɔltɚ/
A2
Englisch
~ 2200
Bedeutungen
0 Bedeutungen
Verb
B1
action
1
Change something in some way
To make something different in some way.
Verwendungsmuster:
to alter [something]
Häufiger Fehler:
Learners sometimes confuse 'alter' with 'exchange' or 'replace'. 'Alter' means to make changes, not to swap one thing entirely for another.
Synonyme
change (A more general term; 'alter' often suggests a more specific or limited change.)
|
modify (Often used in technical or formal contexts, similar in meaning to 'alter'.)
Antonyme
preserve (Means to keep something the same without changes.)
|
maintain (Means to keep something in its original state.)
Wortverbindungen
alter plans
|alter appearance
|alter behavior
|alter clothing
|alter schedule
Themen
daily life
|work
|design
|core_vocabulary
Beispiele
- They had to alter the design after the client’s feedback.
- I decided to alter my travel plans because of the storm.
- The tailor will alter the dress to fit you better.
- We need to alter our approach to solve this problem.
- He altered the recipe by adding more spices.
Beispiele für Lernende
- I will alter my plan.
- The shop can alter my shirt.
- We alter the room for the party.
- She alters her hair color.
- They alter the game rules.
Verb
A2
action
2
Make clothes fit better
To change clothes so they fit better.
Verwendungsmuster:
to alter [a piece of clothing]
Häufiger Fehler:
Learners may confuse 'alter' in this sense with buying new clothes; here it means changing existing clothes.
Synonyme
tailor (Implies making or altering clothes specifically to fit an individual.)
Antonyme
leave as is (Means not making any adjustments to the clothing.)
Wortverbindungen
alter a dress
|alter trousers
|alter a suit
Themen
fashion
|daily life
|clothing
|daily_life
Beispiele
- The seamstress will alter your jacket to make it tighter.
- I need to alter these pants because they are too long.
- They altered the wedding dress for the bride.
Beispiele für Lernende
- I will alter my pants.
- She alters the dress for me.
- They alter his coat.
Verb
technical
B2
action
3
Change genetic makeup
To change the natural parts of a plant or animal using science.
Verwendungsmuster:
to alter [an organism/its genes]
Synonyme
modify genetically (More explicit term for altering genes.)
Antonyme
maintain genetic integrity (Means to keep the genetic makeup unchanged.)
Wortverbindungen
genetically alter
|alter DNA
|alter species
Themen
science
|biology
|health
Beispiele
- Scientists can alter crops to resist pests.
- The lab altered the bacteria for research purposes.
- They are studying how to alter genes to cure diseases.
Beispiele für Lernende
- Scientists alter plants to grow faster.
- They alter animals for research.
- We can alter food plants.
Grammatik
Grundform
alter
IPA
GB/ˈɔltɚ/
US/ˈɔltɚ/
Silben & Betonung
al - ter (2 Silben)
Stress on 1st syllable (al)
Wortformen
Verb
- Base: alter
- 3rd Person Singular: alters
- Present Participle: altering
- Past: altered
Wortfamilie
Forms
alters
verb
altering
verb
altered
verb
Core family
alteration
noun B1
Related words
alterable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unaltered
adjective
unalterable
adjective
Ausdrücke
alter ego
1/ˈɔltɚ ˈiɡoʊ/
fixed phrase
Second identity or personality
A different side of someone's personality, or another identity they use.
Beispiele
- In the novel, the hero's alter ego is a fearless detective.
- He uses an online avatar as his alter ego.