TOP

Definition of change noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

change

noun
 OPAL WOPAL S
 
/tʃeɪndʒ/
 
/tʃeɪndʒ/
Idioms
jump to other results

    difference

  1.  
     [countable, uncountable] the act or result of something becoming different
    • change in something We're hoping for a change in the weather.
    • There was no change in the patient's condition overnight.
    • I need to make some major changes in my life.
    • a change in policy/law
    • The past decade has seen dramatic changes in global poverty.
    • change to something We need to inform you of significant changes to the tax system.
    • She is someone who hates change.
    • social/political/economic change
    • The award-winning director firmly believes in the power of film to bring about positive change.
    see also climate change, sea change, sex change, step change
    Extra Examples
    • A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.
    • Businesses have to adapt to change.
    • Courses offered in schools reflect changes in the job market.
    • He needs to show a change in attitude if he is to succeed.
    • How far does war bring about social change?
    • I've seen many changes since I started farming.
    • In the current climate of change, adaptability is vital.
    • Major economic changes have occurred recently.
    • The eighties were a period of great change in publishing.
    • The last few years have seen a change in attitudes to single parents.
    • The president realized he could not hold back the tide of change, and resigned.
    • The report called for sweeping changes to the health system.
    • The research will measure any changes in the children's sleep patterns.
    • These reforms have brought about significant changes in the overall economy.
    • Train times are subject to change without notice.
    • We are going to introduce a few changes to the system.
    • We resist change because of fear of the unknown.
    • Young people are more willing to embrace change.
    • net change in incomes
    • the need for a culture change within the industry
    Topics Change, cause and effecta1, Weathera1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • big
    • considerable
    • dramatic
    • …
    verb + change
    • make
    • bring about
    • cause
    • …
    change + verb
    • come
    • happen
    • occur
    • …
    preposition
    • for a change
    • change in
    • change of
    • …
    phrases
    • a change for the better
    • a change for the worse
    • a change of clothes
    • …
    See full entry
    2.

    replacing something

  2.  
     [countable] the process of replacing something with something new or different; a thing that is used to replace something
    • change of something a change of address
    • a change of government
    • (British English) Let's get away for the weekend. A change of scene (= time in a different place) will do you good.
    • This destination offers holidaymakers a refreshing change of pace.
    • change from A to B a change from agriculture to industry
    • There will be a crew change when we land at Dubai.
    see also gear change, regime change
    Extra Examples
    • I needed a change of scene after being in the job for so long.
    • the change from the old to the new system
    • She called for a change of mood in Scottish politics.
    • He made a rapid gear change as he approached the bend.
    • I made a couple of minor changes to my opening paragraph.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • big
    • considerable
    • dramatic
    • …
    verb + change
    • make
    • bring about
    • cause
    • …
    change + verb
    • come
    • happen
    • occur
    • …
    preposition
    • for a change
    • change in
    • change of
    • …
    phrases
    • a change for the better
    • a change for the worse
    • a change of clothes
    • …
    See full entry
    3.

    something new and interesting

  3.  
    a change
    [singular] the fact of a situation, a place or an experience being different from what is usual and therefore likely to be interesting, fun, etc.
    • for a change Let's stay in for a change.
    • Can you just listen for a change?
    • It makes a change to read some good news for once.
    • a change from something The manual work made a welcome change from his previous job.
    Extra Examples
    • It made a pleasant change not having to work.
    • Finishing early was a welcome change.
    • I usually take the bus to school, but today I walked for a change.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • big
    • considerable
    • dramatic
    • …
    verb + change
    • make
    • bring about
    • cause
    • …
    change + verb
    • come
    • happen
    • occur
    • …
    preposition
    • for a change
    • change in
    • change of
    • …
    phrases
    • a change for the better
    • a change for the worse
    • a change of clothes
    • …
    See full entry
    4.

    money

  4.  
     [uncountable] the money that you get back when you have paid for something giving more money than the amount it costs
    • Don't forget your change!
    • That's 40p change.
    • The ticket machine gives change.
    Extra Examples
    • This machine does not give change.
    • The meal left me with not much change from $200.
    • I told the taxi driver to keep the change.
    • I checked my change before leaving the store.
    Topics Shoppingb1, Moneyb1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + change
    • check
    • count
    • give
    • …
    preposition
    • change from
    • change out of
    See full entry
  5.  
     [uncountable] coins rather than paper money
    • Do you have any change for the machine?
    • in change I have two dollars in change (= coins that together are worth two dollars).
    • I didn't have any small change (= coins of low value) to leave as a tip.
    • He puts his loose change in a money box for the children.
    • change for something Could you give me change for a ten pound note (= coins or notes that are worth this amount)?
    see also chump change
    Synonyms moneymoneycash ▪ changeThese are all words for money in the form of coins or paper notes.money money in the form of coins or paper notes:
    • I counted the money carefully.
    • Where can I change my money into dollars?
    • paper money (= money that is made of paper, not coins)
    cash money in the form of coins or paper notes:
    • How much cash do you have on you?
    • Payments can be made by cheque or in cash.
     money or cash?If it is important to contrast money in the form of coins and notes and money in other forms, use cash: How much money/​cash do you have on you? • Payments can be made by cheque or in money. • Customers are offered a discount if they pay money. change the money that you get back when you have paid for something giving more money than the amount it costs; coins rather than paper money:
    • The ticket machine doesn’t give change.
    • I don’t have any small change (= coins of low value).
    Patterns
    • to draw out/​get out/​take out/​withdraw money/​cash
    • ready money/​cash (= money that you have available to spend immediately)
    Extra Examples
    • I've got about 25 dollars in change.
    • I had around £25 in change.
    • He emptied his pockets of loose change.
    • Ask the cashier if she has change for €20.
    Topics Moneyb1, Shoppingb1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • loose
    • small
    preposition
    • in change
    • change for
    phrases
    • chump change
    See full entry
    6.

    of clothes

  6. change of clothes, etc. [countable] an extra set of clothes, etc.
    • She packed a change of clothes for the weekend.
    • I keep a change of shoes in the car.
    • Take a change of clothes in case you get dirty.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • big
    • considerable
    • dramatic
    • …
    verb + change
    • make
    • bring about
    • cause
    • …
    change + verb
    • come
    • happen
    • occur
    • …
    preposition
    • for a change
    • change in
    • change of
    • …
    phrases
    • a change for the better
    • a change for the worse
    • a change of clothes
    • …
    See full entry
    7.

    of bus/train/plane

  7. [countable] an occasion when you go from one bus, train or plane to another during a journey
    • The journey involved three changes.
    8.

    in a woman's life

  8. the change (of life)
     [singular] (informal) the menopause (= the time during which a woman gradually stops menstruating, usually at around the age of 50)
    9. see also bureau de change, gear change
    Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French change (noun), changer (verb), from late Latin cambiare, from Latin cambire ‘barter’, probably of Celtic origin.
Idioms
a change for the better/worse
  1. a person, thing, situation, etc. that is better/worse than the previous or present one
    • Voters see the new leader as a change for the better.
    • I reckon we've all made a big change for the better.
    • His family had detected a change for the worse in his behaviour.
a change of heart
  1. if you have a change of heart, your attitude towards something changes, usually making you feel more friendly, helpful, etc.
    • Dan did not want to get married but recently he’s had a change of heart.
    • She said she's not coming, but she might have a change of heart.
a change of mind
  1. an act of changing what you think about a situation, etc.
get no change out of somebody
  1. (British English, informal) to get no help or information from somebody
    • We got no change out of the legal department.
ring the changes (with something)
  1. (British English) to make changes to something in order to have greater variety
    • Ring the changes with a new colour.
a wind/the winds of change
  1. (used especially by journalists) an event or a series of events that has started to happen and will cause important changes or results
    • A wind of change was blowing through the banking world.
See change in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee change in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: change

Nearby words

alloy
noun
 
 
From the Topic
Physics and chemistry
C2
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day