change

To become different, or to make someone or something different.

• The weather can change quickly.
• I changed my mind about the trip.
• Has your address changed?

How to use it: change from A to B (The light changed from red to green.)

Similar words: alter, modify

Common phrases: change your mind, change the plan, change over time

To remove something and put another thing in its place.

• Please change the light bulb.
• We changed the sheets this morning.
• Have you changed the batteries?

Similar words: replace

Opposites: keep

Common phrases: change a tire, change the sheets, change your clothes

To turn someone or something into a different kind of person or thing.

• Water changes into ice.
• The magician changed a coin into a flower.
• Could the potion change him into a bird?

How to use it: change into something (The caterpillar changed into a butterfly.); change something into something (The spell changed the stone into gold.)

Similar words: turn, transform, convert

Common phrases: change into something, change something into something

A process or result in which something becomes different from how it was before.

• We need a change.
• She noticed a change in his voice.
• The new manager made several changes.

How to use it: a change in something (There has been a change in the weather.); a change to something (We made a change to the schedule.); a change from A to B (The change from school to work can be difficult.)

Similar words: alteration, modification

Common phrases: a big change, change in something, make a change

Money returned to you when you pay more than the price of something.

• Here is your change.
• The cashier gave me the wrong change.
• You can keep the change.

Common phrases: keep the change, get your change, give someone change

A small amount of money, usually in coins.

• I have some change in my pocket.
• She collected loose change in a jar.
• Do you have any change for the bus?

Similar words: coins, small money

Common phrases: loose change, spare change, small change

Smaller notes or coins that together have the same value as a larger note or coin.

• Can you give me change for this note?
• The bank gave her change for a fifty-dollar bill.
• I need change for the parking machine.

How to use it: change for a note/coin (Do you have change for a twenty-pound note?)

Common phrases: change for something, get some change

Something you use instead of what you currently have, such as another set of clothes.

• Bring a change of clothes.
• She packed two changes of underwear.
• After the rain, we needed a dry change.

How to use it: a change of something (Pack a change of clothes for the journey.)

Similar words: replacement

Common phrases: change of clothes, change of socks, a fresh change