alter

IPA/ˈɔːltə(r)/
KK[ˈɔltɚ]IPA/ˈɔːltər/

alter — 動詞

  • alterpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • altershe / she / it
  • alteredpast simple
  • altering-ing form

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

改變；更動

對事物做小幅改動，整體本質不變

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.

Dilnoza 改了食譜，加了薑，糖也少放一點。

alter + noun (object) for tweaking a recipe

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

新主管更動了辦公室的座位，讓比較安靜的同事坐在窗邊。

常見搭配
  • alter slightly
  • alter dramatically
  • alter the course of
  • alter someone's view
  • alter a recipe
  • alter the layout
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

修改衣服

把衣服剪縫修改到合身

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.

裁縫師把 Mei 的婚紗改小，因為她瘦了一些。

typical subject: tailor / seamstress

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

可以幫我改一下這條褲子嗎？腰圍有點鬆。

常見搭配
  • alter a dress
  • alter a suit
  • alter the hem
  • have something altered
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

結紮；絕育

替動物動結紮手術的委婉說法

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.

收容所會先把每隻小貓結紮，才讓家庭領養回家。

typical subject: shelter / vet / clinic

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

Otto 醫師建議我們的小狗在六個月大時結紮。

polite alternative to 'neuter' or 'spay'

常見搭配
  • alter a pet
  • have an animal altered
  • altered cat
  • altered dog
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.

同根字

常見搭配

名詞搭配

副詞搭配

常用片語

  • alter the course of history
  • alter beyond recognition
  • alter someone's view
  • have something altered

介系詞搭配