Changing and Forming: English Vocabulary List

to make something less firm or solid

"Soften the butter at room temperature."

"Soften the butter at room temperature before creaming it with sugar to achieve the perfect cookie dough consistency."

to increase firmness or solidity of something

"The clay will harden in the oven."

"The clay will harden after being fired in a kiln at very high temperatures for several hours."

to cause natural products to become fully developed

"Bananas ripen faster in a paper bag."

"You can ripen avocados faster by placing them in a paper bag with a banana because the fruit releases ethylene gas."

to make an object pointed or sharper

"Sharpen your pencil before the test."

"You should sharpen your kitchen knives regularly because dull blades are actually more dangerous than sharp ones."

to make changes to or modify something, making it slightly different

"The menu will vary each day."

"The restaurant's daily specials vary depending on which fresh ingredients are available at the local market each morning."

to change the appearance, character, or nature of a person or object

"A caterpillar transforms into a butterfly."

"The caterpillar will transform into a beautiful butterfly after spending several weeks inside its chrysalis."

to make a person or thing different

"The weather can change quickly."

"The new manager plans to change the company's entire marketing strategy to increase customer engagement."

to develop from a simple form to a more complex or sophisticated one over an extended period

"Species evolve over long periods."

"The company's business model has evolved significantly over the past decade to keep up with changing market demands and new technologies."

to change and become stronger or more advanced

"Children develop new skills quickly."

"Children develop language skills at different rates so parents should not worry if their child speaks later than others."

to change something in order to make it better

"The government plans to reform education."

"The government promised to reform the healthcare system to make it more affordable and accessible for all citizens."

to make changes to something, especially in response to new information, feedback, or a need for improvement

"Revise your essay before submitting it."

"You should revise your essay at least twice to catch any spelling or grammar mistakes before submitting it for grading."

(of something in solid form) to turn into liquid form by being subjected to heat

"Ice will melt in the sun."

"The ice cream began to melt quickly under the hot summer sun so they had to eat it fast before it became a liquid mess."

to become hard or turn to ice because of reaching or going below 0° Celsius

"Freeze the leftovers for later use."

"You can freeze leftover soup in small containers so you have an easy meal ready whenever you are busy."

to make something into a shape

"Clouds form when water evaporates."

"Over millions of years layers of sediment slowly form solid rock under intense pressure from the earth's crust."

to cause something to change

"Do not alter the original document."

"The new medication may alter your sleep patterns so take it in the morning rather than at night."

to grow or be made again

"Lizards can regenerate their tails."

"Some species of lizards can regenerate their tails after losing them as a defense mechanism against predators."

to change one's opinion, idea, attitude, or plan

"The balance of power may shift."

"Public opinion has shifted dramatically on environmental issues over the past few years due to increased awareness and education."

to give something a particular form

"Exercise helps shape your body."

"The sculptor used a variety of tools to shape the rough block of marble into a beautiful human figure."

to change the form, purpose, character, etc. of something

"Convert the currency before traveling."

"The company plans to convert the old warehouse into modern loft apartments for young professionals seeking affordable housing in the city."

to bend an object into a particular shape, such as wire, cloth, etc.

"Twist the cap to open the bottle."

"She had to twist the stubborn lid of the jar with all her strength before it finally opened."

to cut the edges or parts of something, often to change its shape or size

"Crop the photo to remove the edges."

"You can crop the image to remove the distracting background and focus attention on the main subject in the photograph."

the process of turning something from a solid form to liquid by applying heat

"The melting of the ice cream was quick."

"The accelerated melting of polar ice caps poses a serious threat to coastal cities."