## 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
- Communication
- Cause, Change & Process

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