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altered
/ˈɔːltərd/
changed
The original recipe was altered to suit dietary restrictions.
The recipe was modified to fit specific dietary needs.
general
Changed in some way, typically in appearance, form, or function.
The document was altered to correct the errors.
The document was modified to fix mistakes.
His behavior was altered after the incident.
His behavior changed significantly following the event.
Often used to describe subtle or intentional changes.
Medicine
technical
In a state of being changed from the original form.
The patient's altered mental state required immediate attention.
The patient's changed mental condition needed urgent care.
Common in medical contexts to describe conditions that differ from normal.
Collocations
altered statea state of mind that differs from the normal waking statealtered consciousnessa state where one's normal awareness is disrupted
Pro Tip
Avoid redundancy
Use 'altered' instead of 'completely altered' unless emphasizing total change, as 'altered' already implies modification.
Gold Rule
Context matters
In technical fields like medicine or law, 'altered' often implies intentional or significant change, not just any modification.
Word Origin
From Latin 'alterare' (to change), derived from 'alter' (other). Entered English in the 14th century via Old French 'alterer'.
Usage Notes
Commonly used as a past participle adjective. Avoid overusing in formal writing; prefer 'modified' or 'revised' for clarity.
Word Breakdown
alter-
root meaning 'other' or 'change'
root-ed
past participle suffix indicating a completed action or state
suffixEnglish Dictionary