alter

/ˈɔːltə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɔːltər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈȯl-tər/ (ame, mw)

alter — verb

1. to make small changes to the way something looks, sounds, behaves, or works — or

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to make small changes to the way something looks, sounds, behaves, or works — or for that thing itself to shift in those ways — while its overall identity stays the same.

例句

Dilnoza altered the recipe by adding ginger and a little less sugar.

alter + noun (object) for tweaking a recipe

The new manager altered the office layout so quieter staff sat near the windows.

同義詞
  • change

    more general; can cover both small adjustments and full replacement

  • modify

    close to 'alter' but slightly more formal and often technical

  • adjust

    small, targeted tweaks aimed at a better fit or result

  • amend

    formal, mostly for written texts, laws, or agreements

反義詞
  • preserve

    deliberately keep something exactly as it is

  • maintain

    keep the current state, without changing it

文法句型

alter + noun

alter + from X to Y

用法筆記

Suggests partial, often subtle adjustment — the thing keeps its core identity. Distinguish from sense 2 (specifically clothing) and from total replacement verbs like 'transform' or 'replace'.

常見錯誤

❌The caterpillar altered into a butterfly.
✅The caterpillar changed into a butterfly.
💡'alter' implies the thing keeps its identity; full transformation needs 'change' or 'turn'.

2. to take in, let out, or resew a garment — for example a dress, suit, or pair of

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to take in, let out, or resew a garment — for example a dress, suit, or pair of trousers — so that it sits well on the wearer's body.

例句

The tailor altered Mei's wedding dress to fit her after she lost weight.

typical subject: tailor / seamstress

Could you alter these trousers? The waist is a bit too loose.

同義詞
  • tailor

    specifically reshape clothing by sewing; emphasises a custom fit

  • take in

    informal phrasal verb for making clothing tighter or smaller

  • let out

    informal phrasal verb for making clothing looser or larger

文法句型

alter + clothing item

用法筆記

Object is almost always a piece of clothing (dress, suit, trousers, hem). Often appears in passive ('have something altered') because the wearer pays a tailor to do the work.

常見錯誤

❌I altered my hair last weekend.
✅I had my hair restyled last weekend.
💡this sense applies to clothing, not hair, makeup, or appearance generally.

3. to perform a surgery on an animal — usually a cat or dog — that takes out its se

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to perform a surgery on an animal — usually a cat or dog — that takes out its sex organs so it cannot breed; a gentler way of saying 'castrate' or 'spay'.

例句

The shelter altered every kitten before letting families take one home.

typical subject: shelter / vet / clinic

Dr. Otto recommended altering our puppy at six months old.

polite alternative to 'neuter' or 'spay'

同義詞
  • neuter

    general veterinary term for either sex; less euphemistic than 'alter'

  • spay

    specifically for female animals; remove the ovaries

  • castrate

    specifically for male animals; remove the testicles

  • fix

    informal American English for 'neuter' a pet

文法句型

alter + animal

用法筆記

Used as a softer, public-friendly alternative to 'neuter' or 'spay', especially in animal-shelter and pet-clinic notices. Object is an animal (often a pet), never a person.

常見錯誤

❌The vet altered my cat's diet.
✅The vet changed my cat's diet.
💡in this veterinary sense, 'alter' specifically means the desexing surgery, not any other change.