modify

IPA/ˈmɒdɪfaɪ/
KK[mˈɑdəfˌaɪ]IPA/ˈmɑːdɪfaɪ/

modify — verb

  • modifypresent simple I / you / we / they
  • modifieshe / she / it
  • modifiedpast simple
  • modifying-ing form

1. to make small adjustments to a plan, object, document, or system so that it work

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to make small adjustments to a plan, object, document, or system so that it works better or becomes more suitable for what is needed

Example

Emily asked the tailor to modify the dress pattern so it would fit her perfectly.

modify + noun phrase for improvement

The engineers modified the car engine to make it run more quietly on the highway.

Common collocations
  • modify a plan
  • modify a design
  • modify a contract
  • modify behaviour
  • modify a document
  • modify a vehicle
Synonyms
  • adjust

    suggests fine-tuning to match a standard or condition; often used for settings, positions, or small mechanical changes

  • alter

    can imply a slightly bigger change than 'modify'; common for clothing, documents, and structural changes

  • revise

    mainly used for written or planned material such as essays, contracts, or schedules

  • adapt

    emphasises making something suitable for a new use or situation

Antonyms
  • preserve

    keeping something exactly as it is, without any changes

  • maintain

    keeping something in its existing state through regular care

Grammar Patterns

modify + noun phrase

Usage Note

Unlike the broader verb 'change', 'modify' nearly always implies a partial or limited adjustment — you keep most of the original and improve specific parts. Frequently used with plans, designs, machines, contracts, and written texts.

Common Mistakes

I modified my entire career path.
I completely changed my career path.
'Modify' suggests small adjustments, not a total transformation.
She modified her clothes by cutting them into pieces.
She altered her clothes by cutting them into a new shape.
When the change is radical, use 'transform' or 'completely change', not 'modify'.

2. in the study of grammar, a word or expression that gives extra detail about a di

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

in the study of grammar, a word or expression that gives extra detail about a different word or narrows the set of things that word can refer to is said to modify it — for example, when the adjective 'red' appears before 'dress', it tells you the colour of the clothing

Example

In the phrase 'a bright red dress', the word 'bright' modifies the adjective 'red' by telling us the shade.

adjective modifies another adjective in a noun phrase

Adverbs often modify verbs by showing how, when, or where an action takes place.

Common collocations
  • adjective modifies a noun
  • adverb modifies a verb
  • modifies the meaning
  • word that modifies another
Synonyms
  • qualify

    more formal grammatical term; 'qualify' focuses on limiting or restricting the meaning

  • describe

    less technical; focuses on giving information rather than limiting meaning

  • limit

    emphasises the restricting function of modification

Grammar Patterns

[modifying word] + modifies + [modified word]

Usage Note

This is a technical grammatical sense. The word or phrase that does the modifying is called a 'modifier'. Adjectives modify nouns; adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Relative clauses modify nouns.

Common Mistakes

The adverb happily modifies the sentence.
The adverb happily modifies the verb smiled by describing how.
Be specific about which word the modifier affects and in what way.

3. to make something such as an opinion, a demand, or a punishment less strong, ext

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to make something such as an opinion, a demand, or a punishment less strong, extreme, or harsh

Example

The judge modified the prison sentence after considering the young man's clean past record.

modify + legal punishment noun

Théo modified his strong opinion after listening carefully to his colleague's point of view.

modify + opinion / view

Common collocations
  • modify a sentence
  • modify a demand
  • modify terms
  • modify an opinion
  • modify a view
Synonyms
  • moderate

    more formal; often used for tempering behaviour or demands

  • soften

    less formal; suggests making something gentler or less harsh

  • tone down

    phrasal verb; informal, used for language, opinions, or reactions

  • temper

    formal; suggests adding restraint or balance

Antonyms
  • intensify

    to make something stronger or more extreme

  • worsen

    to make a situation or condition worse

  • aggravate

    to make a problem or offence more serious

Grammar Patterns

modify + [abstract noun: opinion, demand, statement, sentence]

Usage Note

This sense overlaps with 'moderate' (verb) and 'tone down'. It is common in formal and legal contexts — for example, modifying a sentence, a penalty, or terms of an agreement. The subject is usually a person in authority.

Common Mistakes

The doctor modified the patient's physical pain.
The doctor reduced the patient's pain.
'Modify' is not the natural word for reducing physical pain; use 'relieve' or 'reduce' instead.
Please modify your voice.
Please lower your voice.' or 'Please tone your voice down.
'Modify' is too broad and abstract for everyday spoken instructions.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

These four verbs all describe making something different, but they differ in scope and context. 'Change' is the broadest — it covers any difference, big or small. 'Alter' suggests a noticeable but not radical shift, commonly used for clothes, documents, or physical objects ('She altered the hem of her skirt'). 'Adjust' implies fine-tuning to match a standard or condition — you adjust the volume, the temperature, or a camera setting. 'Revise' is the most specific, used almost exclusively for written or planned material (essays, schedules, estimates). 'Modify' sits between adjust and alter: it means partial structural changes aimed at improvement, without keeping the original untouched. For example, you adjust a microphone stand (fine-tune its position), you modify a microphone design (change components to improve sound), you alter a microphone's shape (a more significant reshaping), and you change the microphone entirely (replace it with a different model).

adjust ↗alter ↗revise ↗change ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • make modifications to

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'modify' comes from Latin 'modificare', which means 'to measure, limit, or control'. This was formed from 'modus' (meaning 'measure, manner, bound') and 'facere' (meaning 'to make or do'). It entered English through French in the late 1300s with the sense of 'to set limits or boundaries'. Over time the meaning shifted from 'to limit' towards 'to make partial changes', and by the 1500s it had the modern flavour of adjusting something without completely remaking it.