1 : the act, process, or result of changing: such as a : the act of becoming different or of causing someone or something to become different [noncount] ▪ There has been little if any change in her daily routine. ▪ You shouldn't be afraid of change. Change is a natural part of life. ▪ The terms of this contract are subject to change without notice. [=the terms can be changed at any time] [count] ▪ The years have brought many changes to the town's economy. ▪ We need to make some changes in/to the system. ▪ Many voters believe that it's time for a change. ▪ We've had to make a slight change in the schedule. ▪ There has been a change in/to our plans. = There's been a change of plan. [=we have changed our plans] ▪ a change for the better [=an improvement] ▪ a change for the worse —see also sea change b [count] : the act of replacing one thing with another ▪ a change of address/name ▪ changes of mood/attitude/tone ▪ I enjoy the change of seasons every year. [=I enjoy seeing the seasons change from winter to spring, etc.] ▪ The car needs an oil change. [=needs to have the old, dirty oil removed and replaced with clean oil] c [count] : the act of moving from one plane, train, etc., to another in order to continue a journey ▪ If you take this flight you'll need to make a change (of planes) in Chicago. [=you'll need to change planes in Chicago]
2 [singular] : something that is different from what is usual or expected ▪ We've been so busy that a quiet day at home was a welcome change. ▪ We eat at home a lot, so dining out sometimes is/makes a nice change. ▪ (chiefly Brit) So you've done the cooking for once in your life! Well, that makes a change! ▪ I've been stuck here in the city for months. I could really use a change of scene/scenery. = (chiefly Brit) I could really use a change of air. [=I would like to go somewhere else for a time] —see also for a change (below)
3 [noncount] a : smaller bills or coins that are given for a larger bill ▪ Have you got change for a $10 bill? b : the money returned when a payment is more than the amount needed ▪ It cost $9 and I gave you $10, so I should be getting $1 in change. ▪ “It costs $9.” “Here's $10. You can keep the change.” ▪ (US) Can you make change for a twenty? [=can you give me change if I pay with a $20 bill?] c : money in the form of coins ▪ I've got a $10 bill and about $3 in change. [=coins] ▪ a pocketful of loose change ▪ The beggar asked us if we had any spare change. [=a small amount of money that we did not need] —see also change purse, small change d US informal : money —used in the phrase chunk of change ▪ She inherited a large/hefty/nice chunk of change [=a large amount of money] from her aunt.
4 [count] : a clean set of clothes that someone can wear if they are needed ▪ For a weekend in the country you'll need several changes of clothes. ▪ The only extra clothes he took with him were a pair of socks and a change of underwear.
5 [count] baseball informal : changeup ▪ The batter struck out on a straight change.
6 the change informal + old-fashioned : change of life ▪ women who are going through the change