amendment
gb/əmˈɛndmənt/ us/əmˈɛndmənt/
B2
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
Change to a legal document
A change made to an official paper like a law or contract.
Usage pattern:
an amendment to [a law/document]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'amendment' with 'attachment'; 'amendment' is a change to existing text, not something added separately.
Synonyms
revision (General term for changes, not always legal or formal.)
|
modification (Broad term for alteration; less tied to legal context.)
Antonyms
original (Refers to the unaltered form before any amendments.)
Collocations
constitutional amendment
|propose an amendment
|pass an amendment
|draft an amendment
Themes
law
|government
|politics
|business
Examples
- The senator proposed an amendment to the tax law.
- The First Amendment protects freedom of speech in the United States.
- The contract was signed after several amendments were made.
- Parliament passed an amendment to the education bill.
- The company made an amendment to its privacy policy.
Learner examples
- They made an amendment to the law.
- The amendment changed the rules.
- We voted for the amendment.
- The amendment was added last year.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Change to a plan or process
A change made to a plan or agreement to improve it.
Usage pattern:
an amendment to [a plan/agreement/process]
Common mistake:
Some learners think 'amendment' only applies to laws; it can also apply to plans and agreements.
Synonyms
adjustment (A small change for better fit or function.)
Antonyms
continuation (Keeping the original without changes.)
Collocations
make an amendment
|minor amendment
|approve an amendment
Themes
business
|negotiation
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The committee suggested several amendments to the project proposal.
- We made an amendment to the travel schedule to avoid delays.
- The contract will need some amendments before signing.
Learner examples
- They made an amendment to the plan.
- We need an amendment before we start.
- The amendment will help us finish on time.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
3
Substance to improve soil quality
Something you add to soil to make it better for plants.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with legal changes; context about gardening or farming clarifies it.
Synonyms
additive (General term for something added; not specific to soil.)
Antonyms
contaminant (A substance that makes soil worse instead of better.)
Collocations
soil amendment
|organic amendment
|compost amendment
Themes
agriculture
|gardening
|nature
|science
Examples
- Compost is a common organic amendment for gardens.
- The farmer applied a lime amendment to reduce soil acidity.
- Soil amendments can improve water retention.
Learner examples
- We used compost as an amendment.
- The farmer added an amendment to the field.
- An amendment can help plants grow.
Grammar
Dictionary form
amendment
IPA
GB/əmˈɛndmənt/
US/əmˈɛndmənt/
Syllables & stress
amend - ment (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ment)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: amendment
- Plural: amendment, amendments
Word family
Expressions
First Amendment
1/fˈɚst əmˈɛndmənt/
fixed phrase
US constitutional rights guarantee
Part of the U.S. Constitution that gives rights like free speech and religion.
Examples
- The protest was protected under the First Amendment.
- Journalists often cite the First Amendment when defending press freedom.
make an amendment
1/mˈeɪk ən əmˈɛndmənt/
fixed phrase
Create a formal change
To make a change in something official like a law or plan.
Examples
- They decided to make an amendment to the contract.
- We need to make an amendment before publishing the report.
constitutional amendment
1/kˌɑnstətˈuʃənəl əmˈɛndmənt/
fixed phrase
Change to constitution text
A formal change made to the main law of a country.
Examples
- The government proposed a new constitutional amendment.
- The constitutional amendment was passed by a two-thirds majority in Congress.
- It takes years to pass a constitutional amendment.
- Women's suffrage was granted through a constitutional amendment.