modifiers
|mod-i-fi-ers|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈmɑːdəˌfaɪərz/
🇬🇧
/ˈmɒdɪˌfaɪəz/
(modifier)
descriptive word
Etymology
Etymology Information
'modifier' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'modificare', where 'modus' meant 'measure' and 'facere' meant 'to make'.
Historical Evolution
'modificare' transformed into the French word 'modifier', and eventually became the modern English word 'modifier' through Middle English.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to make a measure', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a word that changes or adds to the meaning of another word'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a word, especially an adjective or noun, that restricts or adds to the sense of a head noun.
In the phrase 'the red car', 'red' is a modifier of 'car'.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/07/23 12:23