(1)修改(正)，改善(进)(change sth slightly in order to improve it or make it more acceptable)[T+n]：～the way sb dresses/one's extreme views/the bad opinion of sb 改变穿着方式/修正自己的极端观点/改正对某人不好的看法;have to～the terms of a deal (lease)/the original design/the plans for a new building得修改协议(租赁)的条款/原设计/一幢新楼的设计图;The proposal/approach/policy was only accepted in a～ied form.仅采纳该建议/方法/政策的修改方案。The heating system was extremely～ied and improved.供热系统得到极大的改造和改进。〖同〗change，reform，adjust;

(2)缓和(reduce slightly;make less hard to accept or bear)[T+n]：～one's demands/one's statement/one's tone降低要求/使语言缓和/使口气缓和;～the height of the table 降低桌子的高度;〖同〗reduce;

(3)修饰，限定(limit the meaning of，qualify)(gram)：“Old”～s“man”in“an old man”.在“an old man”(老人)中“old”(老)修饰“man”(人)。Adverbs～verbs，adjectives and other adverbs.副词修饰动词、形容词和其他副词。〖同〗qualify;

→′modifier n修饰语;͵modifi′cation n 修改(饰);

【辨异】modify 与alter、change和vary的区别见ALTER。