First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
modify
verb mod·i·fy \ˈmä-də-ˌfī\
: to change some parts of (something) while not changing other parts
grammar : to limit or describe the meaning of (a word or group of words)
mod·i·fiedmod·i·fy·ing
Full Definition of MODIFY
transitive verb
1
: to make less extreme : moderate
2
a : to limit or restrict the meaning of especially in a grammatical construction b : to change (a vowel) by umlaut
3
a : to make minor changes in b : to make basic or fundamental changes in often to give a new orientation to or to serve a new end <the wing of a bird is an arm modified for flying>
intransitive verb
: to undergo change
— mod·i·fi·abil·i·ty \ˌmä-də-ˌfī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— mod·i·fi·able \ˈmä-də-ˌfī-ə-bəl\ adjective
See modify defined for English-language learners
See modify defined for kids
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Origin of MODIFY
Middle English modifien, from Anglo-French modifier, from Latin modificare to measure, moderate, from modus
Synonym Discussion of MODIFY
change, alter, vary, modify mean to make or become different. change implies making either an essential difference often amounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another <changed the shirt for a larger size>. alter implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity <slightly altered the original design>. vary stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition <vary your daily routine>. modify suggests a difference that limits, restricts, or adapts to a new purpose <modified the building for use by the disabled>.
Rhymes with MODIFY
abide by, Adonai, alibi, alkali, amplify, apple-pie, argufy, assegai, azo dye, basify, beautify, butterfly, by-and-by, caddis fly, calcify, certify, Chou En-lai, citify, clarify, classify, coalify, cockneyfy, codify, college try, cottage pie, crucify, cut-and-try, cutie-pie, DIY, damnify, damselfly, dandify, deify, densify, dignify, dobsonfly, do-or-die, dragonfly, dulcify, eagle eye, edify, evil eye, falsify, fancify, fortify, frenchify, fructify, gasify, Gemini, gentrify, glorify, goggle-eye, goldeneye, gratify, Haggai, harvest fly, hexerei, high and dry, hip and thigh, Hokusai, hook and eye, horrify, hoverfly, humble pie, Iceni, justify, kiss good-bye, lazy eye, lignify, liquefy, lithify, Lorelei, lullaby, Madurai, magnify, Malachi, Maracay, minify, mollify, Molokai, Mordecai, mortify, multi-ply, multiply, mummify, mystify, nazify, notify, nullify, occupy, old school tie, on standby, on the fly, ossify, overbuy, overfly, overlie, pacify, Paraguay, passerby, peccavi, petrify, PPI, preachify, prettify, private eye, prophesy, purify, putrefy, qualify, quantify, ramify, rarefy, ratify, RBI, rectify, reify, res gestae, robber fly, runner's high, Russify, samurai, sanctify, satisfy, scarify, schwarmerei, semidry, set store by, shepherd's pie, shoofly pie, signify, simplify, Spanish fly, specify, speechify, stratify, stultify, stupefy, sweetie pie, Tenebrae, terrify, testify, tie-and-dye, tigereye, Trans Alai, tumble dry, typify, uglify, underlie, unify, Uruguay, Veneti, verify, versify, vilify, vinify, vitrify, vivify, weather eye, Windsor tie, xanthene dye, yuppify, zombify
MODIFIED Defined for Kids
modify
verb mod·i·fy \ˈmä-də-ˌfī\
mod·i·fiedmod·i·fy·ing
Definition of MODIFY for Kids
1
: to make changes in <modify a plan>
2
: to lower or reduce in amount or scale <In a little while familiarity modified their fears … — Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer>
3
: to limit in meaning : qualify <The word “green” in the phrase “green gloves” modifies the word “gloves.”>
Medical Dictionary
modify
transitive verb mod·i·fy \ˈmäd-ə-ˌfī\
mod·i·fiedmod·i·fy·ing
Medical Definition of MODIFY
: to make a change in <modify behavior by the use of drugs>
—mod·i·fi·abil·i·ty \ˌmäd-ə-ˌfī-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē\ noun, plural mod·i·fi·abil·i·ties
—mod·i·fi·able \-ˈfī-ə-bəl\ adjective
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