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change

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noun British English pronunciation: change /tʃeɪndʒ/ 
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singularchange
pluralchanges
 
  1. 1
    [countable] a situation in which something becomes different or you make something different

    A number of significant changes have taken place since the 1960s.

    change in:

    a change in the law

    change to:

    The report proposes some fundamental changes to the social security system.

    undergo a change:

    The computer industry has undergone enormous changes in the last 20 years.

    make a change:

    We made a few changes to the team for tonight’s match.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  changeThesaurus entry for this meaning of change
    1. a.
      [uncountable] the process by which things become different

      Older people sometimes find it hard to accept change.

      a conference on climate change

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  changeThesaurus entry for this meaning of change
  2. 2
    [countable] a situation in which one person or thing is replaced by another
    change of:

    There’s been a change of plan.

    a change of address

    change from:

    the change from military to civilian rule

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  changeThesaurus entry for this meaning of change
  3. 3
    [singular] a new activity or experience that is different and enjoyable
    change from:

    Everyone needs a change from the same old routine.

    make/be a change:

    We had a Chinese meal, which made a nice change.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  changeThesaurus entry for this meaning of change
  4. 4
    [uncountable] the money that someone gives back to you when you give more money than it costs to buy something

    Here’s your change.

    keep the change:

    They told the driver to keep the change.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  changeThesaurus entry for this meaning of change
    1. a.
      coins rather than notes

      I’m sorry I haven’t got any change.

      in change:

      He had about £5 in change.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  changeThesaurus entry for this meaning of change
      See also  loose change, small change
    2. b.
      if you have change for a note or coin of high value, you have notes or coins of lower value that you can exchange for it
      change for:

      Have you got change for a five pound note?

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  changeThesaurus entry for this meaning of change
  5. 5
    [countable] a part of a journey when you leave one plane, train, bus etc to get on another

    The journey takes five hours, with a change in Newcastle.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  changeThesaurus entry for this meaning of change

phrases

This is the British English definition of change. View American English definition of change.

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