Topic vocabulary: Change |
| adapt (v) |
to change your ideas or behaviour so that you can deal with a new situation |
A successful business is one that adapts to changing situations. |
| adjust (v) |
to change something slightly in order to make it better, more accurate or more effective |
You can adjust the volume using this control here. |
| alternate (v) |
if one thing alternates with another, it happens after it and keeps being repeated |
You go first this game, and then we'll alternate. |
| alternate (adj) |
happening on one day, week, etc, but not on the day, week, etc that immediately follows |
We usually go to v1s1t my grandma on alternate Sundays. |
| alternative (n) |
something that you can choose instead of something else |
Can you suggest an alternative? |
| alternative (adj) |
different from something else and able to be used instead of it |
We're going to have to find an alternative route. |
| amend (v) |
to make changes to a document, law, agreement, etc, especially in order to improve it |
Could you amend the report before you send it? |
| conservative (adj) |
not willing to accept much change, especially in the traditional values of society |
I grew up in a village where most of the people were quite conservative. |
| convert (v) |
to change from one system, use or method to another, or to make something do this |
We're converting to a new computer system at work, so it's chaos at the moment. |
| convert (v) |
to change your beliefs, especially your religious beliefs, or to persuade someone to do this |
I was rather shocked when my dad converted to Islam. |
| convert (n) |
someone who has changed their beliefs in an important way |
I didn't use to like Fiat cars, but now I've become a convert. |
| decay (v) |
to be gradually destroyed as a result of a natural process of change, or to destroy something in this way |
When leaves decay, chemicals are returned to the soil. |
| decay (n) |
the gradual destruction of something as a result of a natural process of change |
Too much sugar in our diets is a major cause of tooth decay. |
| deteriorate (v) |
to become worse |
The situation in the country has deteriorated and tourists are advised not to go there. |
| distort (v) |
to change something such as information so that it is no longer true or accurate |
Journalists often distort statistics in order to tell a good story. |
| dynamic (adj) |
continuously changing, growing or developing |
The world of electronics is a very dynamic area. |
| endure (v) |
to suffer something unpleasant or difficult in a patient way over a long period |
I don't know how people endure the conditions in prison. |
| endure (v) |
to last for a long time |
Shakespeare's works have endured for over 400 years. |
| evolve (v) |
when a type of plant or animal evolves, its physical form changes over a long period of time |
Do you think people will eventually evolve into some kind of superhuman? |
| evolve (v) |
to gradually change and develop over a period of time |
As the computer industry has evolved, everything has got faster and cheaper. |
| influence (v) |
to affect the way someone thinks or behaves or affect the way something happens |
Don't let yourself be influenced by what she says. |
| influence (n) |
the effect that a person or thing has on someone's decisions, opinions or behaviour or on the way something happens |
Picasso has had an enormous influence on many painters. |
| innovation (n) |
a new idea, method, piece of equipment, etc |
This innovation will mean cheap energy for everyone. |
| innovative (adj) |
new, original and advanced |
His first album was innovative, but I've been disappointed by the others. |
| last (v) |
to continue existing or happening for or until a particular time |
The flight lasts five hours. |
| maintain (v) |
to make something stay the same |
I find it hard to maintain my weight. |
| mature (v) |
to start behaving like an adult and become more sensible as you get older |
As you mature, you'll see that things are much more complicated. |
| mature (adj) |
behaving in the sensible way that you would expect an adult to behave |
Why can't you be a bit more mature and stop being so childish? |
| modify (v) |
to change something slightly, especially in order to improve it or to make it less extreme |
We've modified the design to solve the problem. |
| novel (adj) |
new or unusual |
A TV that receives text messages is quite a novel idea. |
| persist (v) |
to continue to do or say something in a determined way |
You'll get yourself into trouble if you persist in behaving in this way. |
| potential (n) |
the possibility to develop or achieve something in the future |
Ed's got a lot of potential as an athlete. |
| potential (adj) |
possible or likely in the future |
I think the book's a potential bestseller. |
| progress (v) |
to continue to develop or move forward |
Your English has really progressed this term. |
| progress (n) |
the process of developing or improving |
I'm not sure that all this technological progress is necessarily a good thing. |
| radical (adj) |
a radical change or way of doing something is new and very different from the usual way |
That's quite a radical suggestion. |
| refine (v) |
to make some changes to something in order to improve it |
You need to refine your argument to make it clearer. |
| reform (v) |
to improve a situation by correcting things that are wrong or unfair, or make a system work more effectively |
The government is planning to reform the health system. |
| reform (n) |
a change intended to correct a situation that is wrong or unfair or make a system work more effectively |
These reforms don't go far enough, in my opinion. |
| remain (v) |
to continue to be in a particular situation or condition |
The interest rate is going to remain at 4%. |
| revise (v) |
to change your opinion or judgment of someone or something |
I think I'm beginning to revise my opinion of Tim. |
| revise (v) |
to change, improve or make additions to something such as a book, law or piece of writing |
Revise your essay and I'll have a look at the changes when you've finished. |
| revolution (n) |
a sudden or major change, especially in ideas or methods |
This invention will lead to a revolution in housework. |
| revolution (n) |
a situation in which people completely change their government or political system, usually by force |
Life was quite difficult in the country following the revolution. |
| shift (v) |
if an idea, attitude or plan shifts or someone shifts it, it changes |
The plan has shifted so we'll need to have another meeting. |
| shift (n) |
a change in something, for example in someone's ideas or opinions |
There has been a real shift in attitudes on this issue. |
| spoil (v) |
to affect something in a way that makes it worse, less attractive or less enjoyable |
Your argument with Bill really spoiled the party. |
| status quo (n phr) |
the present situation or the way things usually are |
Let's just keep the status quo until we know what's happening. |
| steady (v) |
to hold something firmly without shaking or moving it |
Could you just steady the ladder? |
| steady (adj) |
firmly held in a particular position without moving or shaking |
Imogen gave me a steady look. |
| steady (adj) |
staying at the same level, speed, value, etc |
Prices should remain steady over the next few months. |
| substitute (v) |
to remove one thing and put something else in its place |
You can substitute cream with milk, if you have any. |
| substitute (n) |
something that is used instead of something else |
Margarine is a good substitute for butter. |
| sustain (v) |
to provide the conditions in which something can happen or exist |
The atmosphere on Mars won't sustain life. |
| switch (v) |
to replace one object with another |
Someone switched their briefcase for mine when I wasn't looking. |
| switch (n) |
a change from one thing to another |
I knew the magician had changed the cards over but I didn't spot the switch. |
| switch (n) |
something such as a button or key that controls the electrical supply to a light, piece of equipment. machine, etc |
This switch controls the volume. |
| transform (v) |
to make someone or something completely different, usually in a way that makes them more attractive, easier to use, etc |
Jill was completely transformed by her time at university. |
| trend (n) |
a gradual change or development that produces a particular result |
There's a trend towards smaller cars these days. |
| uniform (adj) |
the same everywhere |
You should find that every Hilton hotel offers a uniform standard of service. |
