modify

B1 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˈmɑ.dɪˌfaɪ/ UK /ˈmɒd.ɪ.faɪ/ See IPA manual

Freq #18255

Meanings

1

verb
To change something slightly, especially to improve it.

Her publisher advised her to modify a few parts of the book.
2

verb
To make something less strong or extreme.

Please modify this letter to make it sound more polite.
3

verb
(Grammar) To describe or limit the meaning of another word.

In 'a red car', the word 'red' modifies 'car'.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to change something... change alter adjust

2 verb · to make something less... tone downsoften

3 verb · (grammar) to describe or... qualify

More adapt amend revamp rework

Word family

Forms modifiedmodifiesmodifydmodifying

Derived forms automodifybiomodifydemodifyhydromodifymodifiabilitymodifierovermodifypostmodifypremodifyremodifysubmodifyundermodify

Related forms modification

Etymology

From Middle English modifien, from Middle French modifier, from Latin modificare (“to limit, control, regulate, deponent”), from modificari (“to measure off, set bound to, moderate”), from modus (“measure”) + facere (“to make”); see mode.

modifien Middle English modifier Middle French modificare Latin *dʰeh₁- Proto-Indo-European

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# modify

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈmɑ.dɪˌfaɪ/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈmɒd.ɪ.faɪ/
**Frequency rank:** 18255

## Meanings
1. To change something slightly, especially to improve it.
2. To make something less strong or extreme.
3. (Grammar) To describe or limit the meaning of another word.

## Examples
- Her publisher advised her to modify a few parts of the book.
- Please modify this letter to make it sound more polite.
- In 'a red car', the word 'red' modifies 'car'.

## Synonyms
- adapt
- alter
- amend
- revamp
- rework

## Derived Forms
- automodify
- biomodify
- demodify
- hydromodify
- modifiability
- modifier
- overmodify
- postmodify
- premodify
- remodify
- submodify
- undermodify

## Related Forms
- modification

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: modifien
- Root: modifier
- Root: modificare
- Root: *dʰeh₁-

## Etymology
From Middle English modifien, from Middle French modifier, from Latin modificare (“to limit, control, regulate, deponent”), from modificari (“to measure off, set bound to, moderate”), from modus (“measure”) + facere (“to make”); see mode.

## AI Etymology
Modify comes from Middle English modifien, from Middle French modifier, from Latin modificare (“to limit, control, regulate, deponent”), from modificari (“to measure off, set bound to, moderate”), from modus (“measure”) + facere (“to make”); see mode. In present-day English its meanings include to change something slightly, especially to improve it, to make something less strong or extreme, and to describe or limit the meaning of another word. The historical chain runs through modifien (Middle English), modifier (Middle French), modificare (Latin), and *dʰeh₁- (Proto-Indo-European). Related and derived forms include modification, automodify, biomodify, and demodify.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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