altered

Everyday

1. Altered means changed, made different. tree →
2. (adjective) Altered describes something that has been changed: an altered photo. tree →
3. (euphemism) An altered pet has had an operation so it cannot have babies. tree →

In the lessons

In science, when one variable is altered, the others stay the same for a fair test. In maths «the numbers were altered» means changed. In everyday life clothes are altered to fit, and photos can be altered on a computer, so not every picture is true. Phrases: altered state, altered by.

Examples

• She altered her plan when it started to rain. tree →
• We altered only the amount of water in the test. tree →
• The photo had been altered to look scary. tree →
• Mum altered my school skirt so it fits. tree →
• The road was altered after the accident. tree →
• His voice had altered as he grew older. tree →
• (euphemism) Our cat has been altered by the vet. tree →
• ‘Have you altered your mind, then?’ interrupted the Fairy. tree →

Note

Regular verb: alter, altered. Homophone trap: «alter» (change) and «altar» (church table) sound the same. Opposite: unaltered. In maths, if a value is altered by +5, add 5 to it.

In Jewish tradition

In science, when one variable is altered, the others stay the same for a fair test. In maths «the numbers were altered» means changed. In everyday life clothes are altered to fit, and photos can be altered on a computer, so not every picture is true. Phrases: altered state, altered by.

Note

Regular verb: alter, altered. Homophone trap: «alter» (change) and «altar» (church table) sound the same. Opposite: unaltered. In maths, if a value is altered by +5, add 5 to it.