Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act or process of changing something: A "modification" is the action of making something different, often to improve it or adapt it to a new purpose.
   • A change or alteration that is made: A "modification" can also refer to the specific change or difference that results from this process.
   • A grammatical function: In linguistics, "modification" refers to the relationship where one word (a modifier) describes or limits the meaning of another word or phrase.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The car requires a slight modification to its engine for better performance.
  • The architect suggested several modifications to the original building plan.
  • In the phrase "very fast car," the word "very" is an adverbial modification of the adjective "fast."

Advanced Usage

• "To undergo modification": to experience change or alteration.
  • The software will undergo modification before its next release.
• "Subject to modification": likely to be changed or not final.
  • The schedule is tentative and subject to modification.

Variants and Related Words

• Modify (verb): to make partial or minor changes to something.
  • They decided to modify the design.
• Modifier (noun): a word or phrase that qualifies or limits the meaning of another word.
  • In grammar, adjectives are common modifiers.

Synonyms

• Alteration: a change, typically a small one.
• Adjustment: a small change made to achieve a desired fit or result.
• Amendment: a minor change or addition designed to improve a text, piece of legislation, etc.

Related Phrases

• Make modifications: to carry out changes.
  • We need to make some modifications to the document.
• Without modification: in its original form, unchanged.
  • The data was used without modification.

Related Idioms

• A modification on a theme: a variation of a central idea or pattern.
  • His latest song is just a modification on a theme from his earlier work.

Noun

1. an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
   • the change was intended to increase sales
   • this storm is certainly a change for the worse
   • the neighborhood had undergone few modifications since his last visit years ago
2. the grammatical relation that exists when a word qualifies the meaning of the phrase
3. slightly modified copy; not an exact copy
   • a modification of last year's model
4. the act of making something different (as e.g. the size of a garment)