Vocab - Change

adapt (v)

Def: to change your ideas or behaviour so that you can deal with a new situation. / Ex: A successful business is one that adapts to changing situations.

adjust (v)

Def: to change something slightly in order to make it better, more accurate or more effective. / Ex: You can adjust the volume using this control here.

alternate (v)

Def: if one thing alternates with another, it happens after it and keeps being repeated. / Ex: You go first this game, and then we'll alternate.

alternate (adj)

Def: happening on one day, week, etc, but not on the day, week, etc that immediately follows. / Ex: We usually go to visit my grandma on alternate Sundays.

alternative (n)

Def: something that you can choose instead of something else. / Ex: Can you suggest an alternative?

alternative (adj)

Def: different from something else and able to be used instead of it. / Ex: We're going to have to find an alternative route.

amend (v)

Def: to make changes to a document, law, agreement, etc, especially in order to improve it. / Ex: Could you amend the report before you send it?

conservative (adj)

Def: not willing to accept much change, especially in the traditional values of society. / Ex: I grew up in a village where most of the people were quite conservative.

convert (v) [1]

Def: to change from one system, use or method to another, or to make something do this. / Ex: We're converting to a new computer system at work, so it's chaos at the moment.

convert (v) [2]

Def: to change your beliefs, especially your religious beliefs, or to persuade someone to do this. / Ex: I was rather shocked when my dad converted to Islam.

convert (n)

Def: someone who has changed their beliefs in an important way. / Ex: I didn't use to like Fiat cars, but now I've become a convert.

decay (v)

Def: to be gradually destroyed as a result of a natural process of change, or to destroy something in this way. / Ex: When leaves decay, chemicals are returned to the soil.

decay (n)

Def: the gradual destruction of something as a result of a natural process of change. / Ex: Too much sugar in our diets is a major cause of tooth decay.

deteriorate (v)

Def: to become worse. / Ex: The situation in the country has deteriorated and tourists are advised not to go there.

distort (v)

Def: to change something such as information so that it is no longer true or accurate. / Ex: Journalists often distort statistics in order to tell a good story.

dynamic (adj)

Def: continuously changing, growing or developing. / Ex: The world of electronics is a very dynamic area.

endure (v) [1]

Def: to suffer something unpleasant or difficult in a patient way over a long period. / Ex: I don't know how people endure the conditions in prison.

endure (v) [2]

Def: to last for a long time. / Ex: Shakespeare's works have endured for over 400 years.

evolve (v) [1]

Def: when a type of plant or animal evolves, its physical form changes over a long period of time. / Ex: Do you think people will eventually evolve into some kind of superhuman?

evolve (v) [2]

Def: to gradually change and develop over a period of time. / Ex: As the computer industry has evolved, everything has got faster and cheaper.

influence (v)

Def: to affect the way someone thinks or behaves or affect the way something happens. / Ex: Don't let yourself be influenced by what she says.

influence (n)

Def: the effect that a person or thing has on someone's decisions, opinions or behaviour or on the way something happens. / Ex: Picasso has had an enormous influence on many painters.

innovation (n)

Def: a new idea, method, piece of equipment, etc. / Ex: This innovation will mean cheap energy for everyone.

innovative (adj)

Def: new, original and advanced. / Ex: His first album was innovative, but I've been disappointed by the others.

last (v)

Def: to continue existing or happening for or until a particular time. / Ex: The flight lasts five hours.

maintain (v)

Def: to make something stay the same. / Ex: I find it hard to maintain my weight.

mature (v)

Def: to start behaving like an adult and become more sensible as you get older. / Ex: As you mature, you'll see that things are much more complicated.

mature (adj)

Def: behaving in the sensible way that you would expect an adult to behave. / Ex: Why can't you be a bit more mature and stop being so childish?

modify (v)

Def: to change something slightly, especially in order to improve it or to make it less extreme. / Ex: We've modified the design to solve the problem.

novel (adj)

Def: new or unusual. / Ex: A TV that receives text messages is quite a novel idea.

persist (v)

Def: to continue to do or say something in a determined way. / Ex: You'll get yourself into trouble if you persist in behaving in this way.

potential (n)

Def: the possibility to develop or achieve something in the future. / Ex: Ed's got a lot of potential as an athlete.

potential (adj)

Def: possible or likely in the future. / Ex: I think the book's a potential bestseller.

progress (v)

Def: to continue to develop or move forward. / Ex: Your English has really progressed this term.

progress (n)

Def: the process of developing or improving. / Ex: I'm not sure that all this technological progress is necessarily a good thing.

radical (adj)

Def: a radical change or way of doing something is new and very different from the usual way. / Ex: That's quite a radical suggestion.

refine (v)

Def: to make some changes to something in order to improve it. / Ex: You need to refine your argument to make it clearer.

reform (v)

Def: to improve a situation by correcting things that are wrong or unfair, or make a system work more effectively. / Ex: The government is planning to reform the health system.

reform (n)

Def: a change intended to correct a situation that is wrong or unfair or make a system work more effectively. / Ex: These reforms don't go far enough, in my opinion.

remain (v)

Def: to continue to be in a particular situation or condition. / Ex: The interest rate is going to remain at 4%.

revise (v) [1]

Def: to change your opinion or judgment of someone or something. / Ex: I think I'm beginning to revise my opinion of Tim.

revise (v) [2]

Def: to change, improve or make additions to something such as a book, law or piece of writing. / Ex: Revise your essay and I'll have a look at the changes when you've finished.

revolution (n) [1]

Def: a sudden or major change, especially in ideas or methods. / Ex: This invention will lead to a revolution in housework.

revolution (n) [2]

Def: a situation in which people completely change their government or political system, usually by force. / Ex: Life was quite difficult in the country following the revolution.

shift (v)

Def: if an idea, attitude or plan shifts or someone shifts it, it changes. / Ex: The plan has shifted so we'll need to have another meeting.

shift (n)

Def: a change in something, for example in someone's ideas or opinions. / Ex: There has been a real shift in attitudes on this issue.

spoil (v)

Def: to affect something in a way that makes it worse, less attractive or less enjoyable. / Ex: Your argument with Bill really spoiled the party.

status quo (n phr)

Def: the present situation or the way things usually are. / Ex: Let's just keep the status quo until we know what's happening.

steady (v)

Def: to hold something firmly without shaking or moving It. / Ex: Could you just steady the ladder?

steady (adj) [1]

Def: firmly held in a particular position without moving or shaking. / Ex: Imogen gave me a steady look.

steady (adj) [2]

Def: staying at the same level, speed, value, etc. / Ex: Prices should remain steady over the next few months.

substitute (v)

Def: to remove one thing and put something else in its place. / Ex: You can substitute cream with milk, if you have any.

substitute (n)

Def: something that is used instead of something else. / Ex: Margarine is a good substitute for butter.

sustain (v)

Def: to provide the conditions in which something can happen or exist. / Ex: The atmosphere on Mars won't sustain life.

switch (v)

Def: to replace one object with another. / Ex: Someone switched their briefcase for mine when I wasn't looking.

switch (n) [1]

Def: a change from one thing to another. / Ex: I knew the magician had changed the cards over but I didn't spot the switch.

switch (n) [2]

Def: something such as a button or key that controls the electrical supply to a light, piece of equipment, machine, etc. / Ex: This switch controls the volume.

transform (v)

Def: to make someone or something completely different, usually in a way that makes them more attractive, easier to use, etc. / Ex: Jill was completely transformed by her time at university.

trend (n)

Def: a gradual change or development that produces a particular result. / Ex: There's a trend towards smaller cars these days.

uniform (adj)

Def: the same everywhere. / Ex: You should find that every Hilton hotel offers a uniform standard of service.