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- pronunciation:
- ma
dih
faI
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
modifies, modifying, modified |
| definition 1: |
to alter somewhat; make changes in.
To save money, they had to modify their plans for the house.We objected to some of the things in the contract, so they agreed to modify it.He modified his appearance when he went to meet his girlfriend's parents.
- synonyms:
- adjust, revise, vary
- similar words:
- adapt, alter, amend, change, doctor, edit, qualify, rework
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| definition 2: |
to reduce the extremity, quantity, or strength of; moderate.
The workers modified their demands when they realized that they were getting nowhere with management.Her father took pity on her eventually and modified her punishment.- synonyms:
- abate, mitigate, moderate, reduce, temper
- similar words:
- blunt, diminish, ease, lessen, lighten, lower, mollify, qualify, tone down
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| definition 3: |
in grammar, to describe or limit or particularize the meaning of; qualify.
"Extremely" modifies "hot" in the phrase "extremely hot.""Heavy" modifies "traffic" in the phrase "heavy traffic."- similar words:
- alter, change, qualify
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| related words: |
adjust, affect, convert, correct, diversify, modulate, reconsider, shade, suit, tone, touch, transform, turn |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition: |
to be or become modified.
- synonyms:
- change
- similar words:
- adapt, adjust, alter
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| related words: |
amend, change, convert, differentiate, tone, vary |
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| derivations: |
modifiable (adj.), modifiability (n.) |
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