Changes: meaning, definitions and examples

General modifications or alterations in various contexts such as plans, behaviors, or policies.

• The company made several changes to its policies.
• She noticed changes in his behavior.

Physical currency in the form of metal discs. Used in transactions or collections.

• I need some coins for the parking meter.
• He collects rare coins.

Coins or low-value currency. Also used to refer to a small or insignificant amount of money.

• I have some small change in my pocket.
• That's just small change compared to what we need.

The state of being not the same. Used to compare two or more things.

• Can you tell the difference between these two photos?
• The difference in price is significant.

Use in a general sense to indicate that something is becoming different or being updated. Can be used in both formal and informal settings.

• The company is undergoing major changes this year.
• I made some changes to the document.

Suitable for when specific parts are being altered rather than the whole. Often implies a more deliberate or planning process, and commonly used in technical, academic, or formal contexts.

• The car went through several modifications to improve its speed.
• The software update included various modifications to the existing features.

Best for when small or fine-tuning alterations are being made to improve or adapt something. Often used in more detailed or technical situations.

• The engineer made some adjustments to the machine to enhance its performance.
• After feedback, I made a few adjustments to my presentation.

Used when describing a complete or dramatic change from one state or condition to another. Applicable in both personal growth contexts and major overhauls in organizations or systems.

• The city has undergone a remarkable transformation in the last decade.
• The caterpillar’s transformation into a butterfly is fascinating.

Use 'changes' to refer to newly implemented differences. Suitable for both large and small adjustments in any context.

• The company announced several changes to its vacation policy
• She noticed some changes in her friend's behavior

Use 'alter' when the focus is on making small or slight adjustments, often to improve or correct something. Commonly used in personal or technical contexts.

• She decided to alter her dress for the party
• The software developers had to alter the code to fix the bug

Use 'modify' when referring to making partial changes to something, usually to improve or customize it. Often used in formal, scientific, or technical contexts.

• He plans to modify his car to increase its performance
• The fitness trainer modified the workout routine for beginners

Use 'vary' to indicate that something differs in different situations or at different times. Suitable for highlighting diversity or range.

• The prices of the products can vary depending on the market
• Her mood tends to vary throughout the day