# modify

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈmɒd.ɪ.faɪ/ · frequency rank #9,783

## Definitions
1. To change part of.
2. To be or become modified.
3. To set bounds to; to moderate.
4. To qualify the meaning of.

## Etymology
From Middle English modifien, from Middle French modifier, from Latin modificare (“to limit, control, regulate, deponent”), from modificari (“to measure off, set bound to, moderate”), from modus (“measure”) + facere (“to make”); see mode.

## Easily confused with
- **motif** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/modify-vs-motif)
- **Modi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/modi-vs-modify)

## Common misspellings (9)
`mdoify`, `mmodify`, `moddify`, `modfiy`, `modiffy`, `modifyy`, `modiyf`, `moidfy`, `omdify`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/modify