alter
gb/ˈɔltɚ/ us/ˈɔltɚ/
A2
English
~ 2200
módosít, változtat, átalakít, méretre igazít, genetikailag módosít, génmódosít
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to alter [something]
They had to alter the design after the client’s feedback.
Az ügyfél visszajelzése alapján módosítaniuk kellett a tervet.
I decided to alter my travel plans because of the storm.
A vihar miatt úgy döntöttem, módosítom az utazási terveimet.
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.
Learner examples
I will alter my plan.
Módosítani fogom a tervemet.
The shop can alter my shirt.
Az üzletben át tudják alakítani az ingemet.
We alter the room for the party.
She alters her hair color.
They alter the game rules.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'alter' with 'exchange' or 'replace'. 'Alter' means to make changes, not to swap one thing entirely for another.
Meaning
Change something in some way
Collocations
alter plans
|alter appearance
|alter behavior
|alter clothing
|alter schedule
Synonyms
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'.)
Antonyms
preserve (Means to keep something the same without changes.)
|
maintain (Means to keep something in its original state.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|design
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make something different in some way.
To change or modify something, usually in a small but significant way.
VERB
A2
2
átalakít
B1
Usage pattern:
to alter [a piece of clothing]
The seamstress will alter your jacket to make it tighter.
A varrónő szűkebbre fogja igazítani a zakódat.
I need to alter these pants because they are too long.
Fel kell hajtanom ezt a nadrágot, mert túl hosszú.
They altered the wedding dress for the bride.
Learner examples
I will alter my pants.
Át fogom alakítani a nadrágomat.
She alters the dress for me.
Méretre igazítja nekem a ruhát.
They alter his coat.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'alter' in this sense with buying new clothes; here it means changing existing clothes.
Meaning
Make clothes fit better
Collocations
alter a dress
|alter trousers
|alter a suit
Synonyms
tailor (Implies making or altering clothes specifically to fit an individual.)
Antonyms
leave as is (Means not making any adjustments to the clothing.)
Themes
fashion
|daily life
|clothing
|daily_life
Definition
To change clothes so they fit better.
To change the size or shape of a piece of clothing so that it fits better.
VERB
B2
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
to alter [an organism/its genes]
Scientists can alter crops to resist pests.
A tudósok képesek úgy genetikailag módosítani a haszonnövényeket, hogy ellenállóak legyenek a kártevőkkel szemben.
The lab altered the bacteria for research purposes.
A laboratórium kutatási célból genetikailag módosította a baktériumokat.
They are studying how to alter genes to cure diseases.
Learner examples
Scientists alter plants to grow faster.
A tudósok genetikailag módosítják a növényeket, hogy gyorsabban nőjenek.
They alter animals for research.
Kutatási célból genetikailag módosítják az állatokat.
We can alter food plants.
Meaning
Change genetic makeup
Collocations
genetically alter
|alter DNA
|alter species
Synonyms
modify genetically (More explicit term for altering genes.)
Antonyms
maintain genetic integrity (Means to keep the genetic makeup unchanged.)
Themes
science
|biology
|health
Definition
To change the natural parts of a plant or animal using science.
To change the genes or characteristics of a living organism, often using scientific methods.
Grammar
Dictionary form
alter
IPA
GB/ˈɔltɚ/
US/ˈɔltɚ/
Syllables & stress
al - ter (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (al)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: alter
- 3rd Person Singular: alters
- Present Participle: altering
- Past: altered
Word family
Forms
alters
verb
altering
verb
altered
verb
Core family
alteration
noun B1
Related words
alterable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unaltered
adjective
unalterable
adjective
Expressions
alter ego
1/ˈɔltɚ ˈiɡoʊ/
fixed phrase
Second identity or personality
A different side of someone's personality, or another identity they use.
Examples
- In the novel, the hero's alter ego is a fearless detective.
- He uses an online avatar as his alter ego.