alteration
all-tuh-RAY-shun
/ˌɔːltəˈreɪʃn/
A small change made to a garment so that it fits better.
Usually refers to professional tailoring changes like hemming or taking in a waist, rather than a complete redesign.
The story behind the word. From the Medieval Latin 'alterare,' which means 'to make other.' When you take a garment for an alteration, you are literally asking the tailor to make it 'other' than it currently is—usually shorter, slimmer, or better suited to your frame.
Word relationships
- adjustment: A more general term for any small change.
- modification: Often implies a change in function or style, not just fit.
Commonly confused with
- tailoring: Tailoring is the craft or profession; an alteration is the specific change made.
Word family
- alter (verb): To make a small change to something.
- altered (adjective): Having been changed.
Collocations
- minor alteration
- tailoring alteration
- request an alteration
Example sentences
- "The dress was beautiful, but it required a few minor alterations to the bodice to make it fit perfectly." A discussion about a wedding dress.
- "Please note that items that have undergone alteration cannot be returned or exchanged." A store policy regarding sales.
Memory hook
When you 'alter' a dress, you make it 'other' than it was. Alter = make other.
When not to use
Do not use for large-scale changes to a building or a plan; 'renovation' or 'modification' might be more appropriate.
Fun facts
- The most common alteration in the world is hemming trousers to make them shorter.
Related words
Explore more words
Tailoring, modification, renovation, amendment, amend, Adjustment
Also appears in
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