altar
/ˈɔltɚ/
noun
Common
1.n.the table in Christian churches where communion is given
2.n.a raised structure on which gifts or sacrifices to a god are made
Loading page
altar and alter are homophones: they are pronounced identically and spelled differently, which is why they are so often swapped. altar means “the table in Christian churches where communion is given”. alter means “cause to change; make different; cause a transformation”.
/ˈɔltɚ/
1.n.the table in Christian churches where communion is given
2.n.a raised structure on which gifts or sacrifices to a god are made
/ˈɔltɚ/
1.v.cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
“The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city”
2.v.become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence
“her mood changes in accordance with the weather”
3.v.make an alteration to
“This dress needs to be altered”
| altar | alter | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈɔltɚ/ | /ˈɔltɚ/ |
| Said | AWL-tur | AWL-tur |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Letters | 5 | 5 |
| Parts of speech | noun | verb |
| Senses | 2 | 5 |
| How common | Common | Common |
| Synonyms | communion table, Lord's table | change, modify |
Full entry for altar · Full entry for alter · More comparisons