exchange

/iks'tʃeindʤ/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
exchange

Two students exchange gifts at a holiday party.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • The act of giving one thing and receiving another (usually of similar type or value) in return: "exchange" refers to a mutual transfer of items, ideas, or services between parties.
    • A place or system for buying, selling, or trading: "exchange" can mean a marketplace or organized system where transactions occur, such as a stock exchange or telephone exchange.
    • A conversation or argument, especially a brief or heated one: "exchange" can describe a reciprocal expression of views, often in a rapid or confrontational manner.
    • (In chess) The capture of pieces of equal value by both players on consecutive moves: A specific term in chess for a trade of material.
  2. Verb:

    • To give something and receive something else in return: The core action of trading one item for another.
    • To replace one thing with another: To substitute or switch items.
    • To engage in a reciprocal conversation or argument: To have a verbal back-and-forth.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:

    • The two companies agreed to an exchange of technology. (The companies mutually transferred technological knowledge.)
    • He works on the floor of the stock exchange. (He works in the marketplace for trading stocks.)
    • The leaders had a tense exchange during the debate. (The leaders had a brief, heated conversation.)
    • In chess, the early exchange of knights changed the game's dynamics. (The trade of knights of equal value altered the game.)
  • Verb:

    • We decided to exchange our gifts after the holiday. (We decided to give each other's gifts back and receive different ones.)
    • Could you exchange this shirt for a larger size? (Could you replace this shirt with a bigger one?)
    • The diplomats exchanged sharp words over the border issue. (The diplomats had a reciprocal, harsh conversation.)
Advanced Usage
  • "In exchange for": as a reciprocal action or payment for something.

    • She offered her expertise in exchange for a share of the profits. (She offered her skills as a trade for a portion of the earnings.)
  • "Exchange of ideas": a discussion where people share and discuss different thoughts.

    • The conference promoted a free exchange of ideas. (The conference encouraged the sharing and discussion of concepts.)
  • "Foreign exchange": the trading of different countries' currencies.

    • The volatility of the foreign exchange market affects international trade. (The instability in currency trading impacts global commerce.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Interchange (n/v): A mutual exchange; to exchange things mutually. Often used for ideas or roles.
    • The interchange of faculty between universities is beneficial.
  • Exchanger (n): A person or device that facilitates an exchange.
    • A heat exchanger transfers thermal energy.
  • Exchangeable (adj): Capable of being exchanged.
    • The coupon is exchangeable for any product in the store.
Synonyms
  • Trade: To buy, sell, or exchange goods or services.
  • Swap: To exchange one thing for another, often informally.
  • Barter: To exchange goods or services for other goods or services without using money.
  • Substitute: To replace one thing with another.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Exchange blows: To fight physically.
    • The argument escalated until they exchanged blows. (The argument intensified until they started fighting.)
  • Exchange glances/looks: To look at each other briefly, often to communicate something non-verbally.
    • They exchanged knowing glances across the room. (They looked at each other briefly with shared understanding.)
Related Idioms
  • A fair exchange is no robbery: (Proverb) A transaction where both sides receive equal value is fair and just.
    • I'll help you fix your car if you help me paint my house. A fair exchange is no robbery.
  • Get the better of the exchange: To gain an advantage in a trade or deal.
    • In the player trade, many analysts felt our team got the better of the exchange.
exchange

Two students exchange gifts at a holiday party.

Noun
  1. (chess) the capture by both players (usually on consecutive moves) of pieces of equal value
    • the endgame began after the exchange of queens
  2. (chess) gaining (or losing) a rook in return for a knight or bishop
    • black lost the exchange
  3. the act of putting one thing or person in the place of another: "he sent Smith in for Jones but the substitution came too late to help"
  4. reciprocal transfer of equivalent sums of money (especially the currencies of different countries)
    • he earns his living from the interchange of currency
  5. (sports) an unbroken sequence of several successive strokes
    • after a short rally Connors won the point
  6. a workplace for buying and selling; open only to members
  7. a workplace that serves as a telecommunications facility where lines from telephones can be connected together to permit communication
  8. the act of giving something in return for something received
    • deductible losses on sales or exchanges of property are allowable
  9. the act of changing one thing for another thing
    • Adam was promised immortality in exchange for his disobedience
    • there was an interchange of prisoners
  10. a mutual expression of views (especially an unpleasant one)
    • they had a bitter exchange
  11. chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another
Verb
  1. exchange a penalty for a less severe one
  2. put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items
    • the con artist replaced the original with a fake Rembrandt
    • substitute regular milk with fat-free milk
    • synonyms can be interchanged without a changing the context's meaning
  3. hand over one and receive another, approximately equivalent
    • exchange prisoners
    • exchange employees between branches of the company
  4. change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence
  5. exchange or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category
    • Could you convert my dollars into pounds?
    • He changed his name
    • convert centimeters into inches
    • convert holdings into shares
  6. give to, and receive from, one another
    • Would you change places with me?
    • We have been exchanging letters for a year