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Modify Common

Origin: Latin suffix -ify

Modify has 4 different meanings across 1 category:

Verb

Definitions
Verb
1

make less severe or harsh or extreme

"please modify this letter to make it more polite"

"he modified his views on same-gender marriage"

2

add a modifier to a constituent

"The compiler automatically inserts a null operator when you modify a verb phrase by adding an adverbial clause."

3

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

"The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"

"The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue"

4

To change part of.

"She decided to modify her original recipe by adding a pinch more cinnamon to enhance the flavor."

In plain English: To modify something means to change it slightly so that it works better or looks different.

"You can modify your reservation if you need to change the date."

Usage: Use modify to describe making partial or specific adjustments to something without altering its essential nature. Avoid using it when you mean to completely replace or destroy the original item.

Example Sentences
"You can modify your reservation if you need to change the date." verb
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
change add
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
optimize attemper syncopate update soup up cream qualify corrupt temper specialize buffer inflect cushion awaken cause to sleep affect refresh inseminate indispose cry etiolate shade brutalize convert opalize arterialize make counterchange vascularize decrepitate suburbanize revolutionize barbarize alkalinize mythologize allegorize demythologize bring coarsen alchemize alcoholize shape round off suspend sober reconstruct increase ease up assimilate dissimilate commute vitalize unclutter activate inactivate deaden remodel edit tame chasten better worsen wet dry lubricate strengthen spike weaken blunt oxidize unite age ripen antique antiquate develop soften damage ossify acerbate stabilize destabilize sensitize desensitize habituate disorder discolor color stain hue uglify untune adjust set disqualify domesticate widen dehydrogenate hydrogenate oxygenize darken brighten blur obscure cook slenderize crack dissolve end demist condense cool heat warm boil freeze blister switch transpose transform transmute ash translate reform Islamize turn back invert customize personalize depersonalize sharpen flatten disintegrate magnetize demagnetize simplify complicate refine supercharge centralize decentralize socialize fix internationalize communize Europeanize bestialize Americanize Frenchify civilize nationalize denationalize naturalize denaturalize even equal stiffen loosen tighten transitivize detransitivize thicken full diversify decelerate accelerate check decrease liquefy solvate validate invalidate empty fill saturate clot louden normalize morph neutralize commercialize purify mechanize automatize harmonize polarize glorify contaminate devalue insulate calcify urbanize emulsify demulsify decarboxylate nazify fertilize clarify embrittle mark nick disable enable de-emphasize tender charge bubble sweeten iodinate ionate archaize inform officialize occidentalize orientalize acetylate achromatize parallel camp classicize conventionalize decimalize dizzy poison exteriorize glamorize introvert laicize politicize radicalize proof romanticize rusticate sauce shallow tense steepen scramble unscramble unsex vitrify pall saponify extend muddy lift harshen dinge demonize devilize etherealize immaterialize animize clear dynamize rarefy volatilize uniformize symmetrize immortalize denature sanitize verbify shift sputter draw dope prostrate excite shake outmode spice shorten think deflate inflate reflate digitize gelatinize recombine feminize masculinize disharmonize sexualize schematize patent constitutionalize rationalize plasticize paganize incandesce deaminate angulate circularize depolarize intensify isomerize legitimate evaporate industrialize opacify opsonize militarize recommend sentimentalize solemnize territorialize transaminate transfigure unsanctify vesiculate visualize variegate ventilate vivify vulgarise supple professionalize smut still weaponize eroticize piggyback port lifehack cloud confuse tone down obfuscate synchronize mince break down fatten touch dull untie barb string straighten mix put clean dirty lower deform break alter decorate humanize humble estrange right deodorize blind change intensity change taste substitute capture lend restore liberalize democratize relax flocculate turn cohere

Origin

The word modify comes from the Latin modificare, which originally meant "to limit" or "control." It entered English through Middle French and Middle English, evolving from its root components meaning "to measure off" and "to make."

Rhyming Words
ify reify waify edify deify unify ignify nidify wikify verify ramify minify aerify ossify sanify finify munify ethify notify omnify
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