What does alteration mean?
Word: Alteration
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Alteration means a small change made to something, such as a dress, a plan or a timetable.
Synonyms: adjustment
How do you spell alteration?
Syllables: al - ter - a - tion
Tricky part: The ending says 'shun' but is spelt tion. Alterasion and alterashun are common slips.
Watch out for: alterasion, alterashun, alteretion
Memory tip: Picture the tag a tailor pins on a quick fix, printed TI-ON: those are the four letters that close the word.
Alteration in a sentence
Example 1: The tailor said my sister's party dress needed only a small alteration at the waist.
Example 2: After the rain, the sports teacher made an alteration to the match timetable.
Example 3: The architect showed us an alteration to the plan for the new library.
Fun Fact
Alteration came into English in the late Middle Ages, through French, from a Latin word for changing.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
alt__ation
a) er
b) ur
c) ir
d) ar
Show answer
a) er. The letters after the t are e and r, the same as in the verb for making a change.
Word Champ
In which option are the given words arranged in alphabetical order?
1. altitude 2. alteration 3. alto 4. although
a) 2413
b) 2431
c) 2143
d) 4213
Show answer
a) 2413. All four start with alt; the fourth letters e, h, i and o settle the order.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
notarieatl
a) a feeling of great happiness
b) a sudden loud noise
c) a tweak to something that already exists
d) a careful look to find out the facts
Show answer
c) a tweak to something that already exists. Put back in order, the letters spell alteration, a change made to something that already exists.
Word Puzzle
Match each word with the word closest in meaning:
1. alteration 2. wealth 3. effort a. modification b. attempt c. riches
a) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
b) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
c) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
d) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
Show answer
a) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b. Same-meaning pairs: an alteration is a modification, wealth is riches, and an effort is an attempt.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A tailor is asked for an alteration. Which job does he take on?
a) buying a new shirt at a shop
b) shortening the sleeves of a shirt
c) drawing a design for a shirt
d) weaving cloth for a fresh shirt
Show answer
b) shortening the sleeves of a shirt
2. If a train timetable has an alteration, a passenger should ___.
a) check the new times before travelling
b) stop using trains for good
c) wait at the station all day
d) buy two tickets instead of one
Show answer
a) check the new times before travelling
