[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/modify/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [M](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/m/) / modify

# modify

verb (modify, modifies, modified, modifying); noun modification

«modify» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To modify something means to change it a little, usually to improve it or make it fit a purpose. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/modify/#m1)
2. (grammar) A word modifies another when it describes it or changes its meaning, like an adjective modifying a noun. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/modify/#m2)
3. (science) Genetically modified (GM) plants have had their genes changed by scientists. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/modify/#m3)

### In the lessons

In design and technology, pupils modify their designs after testing; in grammar lessons adjectives and adverbs modify; in science GM crops are discussed. Phrases: «modify a design», «modified version», «genetically modified».

### Examples

- We modified our paper plane so it flew further. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/modify/#x1)
- Dad modified the recipe to use less sugar. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/modify/#x2)
- The game has been modified for younger players. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/modify/#x3)
- In «a red car», «red» modifies «car». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/modify/#x4)
- Scientists modify plants to resist pests. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/modify/#x5)
- Can you modify your sentence to make it clearer? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/modify/#x6)
- The bike was modified with a basket. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/modify/#x7)
- After testing, modify your model and test again. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/modify/#x8)
- But I have felt myself more at liberty than the translators themselves, who have generally been over-literal, in changing, excising, or modifying the original. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/modify/#x9)

### Note

Modify changes y to i: modifies, modified. Means about the same as «change» or «adjust» but sounds more formal. Modifying is changing a little, not completely.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «modify» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/modify/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«modify» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/modify.html) on Mova free.