Switch vs. Change: What’s the difference? (2023)

Switch

In electrical engineering, a switch is an electrical component that can disconnect or connect the conducting path in an electrical circuit, interrupting the electric current or diverting it from one conductor to another. The most common type of switch is an electromechanical device consisting of one or more sets of movable electrical contacts connected to external circuits.

Change

To cause to be different; alter

We decided to change the color of the walls. You can't change the rules in the middle of the game.

Switch

A device for making and breaking the connection in an electric circuit

The guard hit a switch and the gate swung open

Change

To give a completely different form or appearance to; transform

The new homeowners changed the yard into a garden.

Switch

An act of changing to or adopting one thing in place of another

His friends were surprised at his switch from newspaper owner to farmer

Change

To give and receive reciprocally; interchange

Anne and I changed seats so that she could sit next to the aisle.

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Switch

A slender, flexible shoot cut from a tree.

Change

To exchange for or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category

Change one's name.

A light that changes colors.

Switch

A set of points on a railway track.

Change

To lay aside, abandon, or leave for another; switch

Change methods.

Change sides.

Switch

A tress of false or detached hair tied at one end, used in hairdressing to supplement natural hair.

Change

To transfer from (one conveyance) to another

In Chicago, we'll have to change planes.

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Switch

Change the position, direction, or focus of

The company switched the boats to other routes

Change

To give or receive the equivalent of (money) in lower denominations or in foreign currency

This machine will change dollar bills into coins. At the airport, the traveler changed British pounds into euros.

Switch

Beat or flick with or as if with a switch.

Change

To put fresh clothes or coverings on

It's your turn to change the baby. I'll show you how to change the bed.

Switch

An exchange or a swap, especially one done secretly.

Change

To become different or undergo alteration

He changed as he matured. The town grew and changed over the years.

Switch

A transference or shift, as of opinion or attention.

Change

To undergo transformation or transition

The music changed to a slow waltz.

Switch

A device used to break or open an electric circuit or to divert current from one conductor to another.

Change

To go from one phase to another, as the moon or the seasons.

Switch

A device consisting of two sections of railroad track and accompanying apparatus used to transfer rolling stock from one track to another.

Change

To make an exchange; switch

If you prefer this seat, I'll change with you.

Switch

A slender flexible rod, stick, or twig, especially one used for whipping.

Change

To transfer from one conveyance to another

She changed in Detroit on her way to California.

Switch

The bushy tip of the tail of certain animals

A cow's switch.

Change

To put on other clothing

We changed for dinner. They changed into work clothes.

Switch

A thick strand of real or synthetic hair used as part of a coiffure.

Change

To become deeper in tone

His voice began to change at age 13.

Switch

A flailing or lashing, as with a slender rod

Gave the ox a switch.

Change

The act, process, or result of altering or modifying

A change in facial expression.

A last-minute change in the schedule.

Switch

To exchange

Asked her brother to switch seats with her.

Change

The replacing of one thing for another; substitution

A change of atmosphere.

A change of ownership.

Switch

To shift, transfer, or divert

Switched the conversation to a lighter subject.

Change

A transformation or transition from one state, condition, or phase to another

The change of seasons.

Switch

To connect, disconnect, or divert (an electric current) by operating a switch.

Change

Something different; variety

Ate early for a change.

Switch

To cause (an electric current or appliance) to begin or cease operation

Switched the lights on and off.

Change

A different or fresh set of clothing

I brought along a change of shirts to the overnight party.

Switch

(Informal) To produce as if by operating a control. Often used with on

Switched on the charm.

Change

Money of smaller denomination given or received in exchange for money of higher denomination

Will you give me change of four quarters for a dollar?.

Switch

To move (rolling stock) from one track to another; shunt.

Change

The balance of money returned when an amount given is more than what is due

I paid $3 for the coffee that cost $2.50, so I received 50 cents in change.

Switch

To whip with a switch, especially in punishing a child.

Change

Coins

Loose change was jingling in my pocket.

Switch

To jerk or swish abruptly or sharply

A cat switching its tail.

Change

A pattern or order in which bells are rung.

Switch

To make or undergo a shift or an exchange

The office has switched to shorter summer hours.

Change

In jazz, a change of harmony; a modulation.

Switch

To swish sharply from side to side.

Change

A market or exchange where business is transacted.

Switch

A device to turn electric current on and off or direct its flow.

Change

(intransitive) To become something different.

The tadpole changed into a frog.

Stock prices are constantly changing.

Switch

A change or exchange.

Change

To make something into something else.

The fairy changed the frog into a prince.

I had to change the wording of the ad so it would fit.

Switch

A movable section of railroad track which allows the train to be directed down one of two destination tracks; (set of) points.

Change

(transitive) To replace.

Ask the janitor to come and change the lightbulb.

After a brisk walk, I washed up and changed my shirt.

Switch

A slender woody plant stem used as a whip; a thin, flexible rod, associated with corporal punishment in the United States.

Change

(intransitive) To replace one's clothing.

You can't go into the dressing room while she's changing.

The clowns changed into their costumes before the circus started.

Switch

(musical instruments) rute.

Change

(transitive) To replace the clothing of (the one wearing it).

It's your turn to change the baby.

Switch

(computer science) A command line notation allowing specification of optional behavior.

Use the /b switch to specify black-and-white printing.

Change

(intransitive) To transfer to another vehicle (train, bus, etc.)

Switch

A programming construct that takes different actions depending on the value of an expression.

Change

(archaic) To exchange.

Switch

A networking device connecting multiple wires, allowing them to communicate simultaneously, when possible. Compare to the less efficient hub device that solely duplicates network packets to each wire.

Change

(transitive) To change hand while riding (a horse).

To change a horse

Switch

(telecommunication) A system of specialized relays, computer hardware, or other equipment which allows the interconnection of a calling party's telephone line with any called party's line.

Change

The process of becoming different.

The product is undergoing a change in order to improve it.

Switch

(genetics) A mechanism within DNA that activates or deactivates a gene.

Change

(uncountable) Small denominations of money given in exchange for a larger denomination.

Can I get change for this $100 bill please?

Switch

(BDSM) One who is willing to take either a submissive or a dominant role in a sexual relationship.

Change

(countable) A replacement.

A change of clothes

Switch

(historical) A separate mass or tress of hair, or of some substance (such as jute) made to resemble hair, formerly worn on the head by women.

Change

(uncountable) Balance of money returned from the sum paid after deducting the price of a purchase.

A customer who pays with a 10-pound note for a £9 item receives one pound in change.

Switch

(card games) A variant of crazy eights where one card, such as an ace, reverses the direction of play.

Change

(uncountable) An amount of cash, usually in the form of coins, but sometimes inclusive of paper money.

Do you have any change on you? I need to make a phone call.

This bus ride requires exact change.

Switch

(transitive) To exchange.

I want to switch this red dress for a green one.

Change

(countable) A transfer between vehicles.

The train journey from Bristol to Nottingham includes a change at Birmingham.

Switch

(transitive) To change (something) to the specified state using a switch.

Switch the light on.

Change

(baseball) A change-up pitch.

Switch

To whip or hit with a switch.

Change

(campanology) Any order in which a number of bells are struck, other than that of the diatonic scale.

Switch

(intransitive) To change places, tasks, etc.

I want to switch to a different seat.

Change

A public house; an alehouse.

Switch

To get angry suddenly; to quickly or unreasonably become enraged.

Change

To alter; to make different; to cause to pass from one state to another; as, to change the position, character, or appearance of a thing; to change the countenance.

Therefore will I change their glory into shame.

Switch

To swing or whisk.

To switch a cane

Change

To alter by substituting something else for, or by giving up for something else; as, to change the clothes; to change one's occupation; to change one's intention.

They that do change old love for new,Pray gods, they change for worse!

Switch

To be swung or whisked.

The angry cat's tail switched back and forth.

Change

To give and take reciprocally; to exchange; - followed by with; as, to change place, or hats, or money, with another.

Look upon those thousands with whom thou wouldst not, for any interest, change thy fortune and condition.

Switch

To trim.

Change

Specifically: To give, or receive, smaller denominations of money (technically called change) for; as, to change a gold coin or a bank bill.

He pulled out a thirty-pound note and bid me change it.

Switch

To turn from one railway track to another; to transfer by a switch; generally with off, from, etc.

To switch off a train; to switch a car from one track to another

Change

To be altered; to undergo variation; as, men sometimes change for the better.

For I am Lord, I change not.

Switch

(ecclesiastical) To shift to another circuit.

Change

To pass from one phase to another; as, the moon changes to-morrow night.

Switch

(snowboarding) Pertaining to riding with the front and back feet swapped round compared to one's normal position.

Change

Any variation or alteration; a passing from one state or form to another; as, a change of countenance; a change of habits or principles.

Apprehensions of a change of dynasty.

All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

Switch

Pertaining to skiing backwards.

Change

A succesion or substitution of one thing in the place of another; a difference; novelty; variety; as, a change of seasons.

Our fathers did for change to France repair.

The ringing grooves of change.

Switch

A small, flexible twig or rod.

Mauritania, on the fifth medal, leads a horse with something like a thread; in her other hand she holds a switch.

Change

A passing from one phase to another; as, a change of the moon.

Switch

A movable part of a rail; or of opposite rails, for transferring cars from one track to another.

Change

Alteration in the order of a series; permutation.

Switch

A separate mass or trees of hair, or of some substance (at jute) made to resemble hair, worn on the head by women.

Change

That which makes a variety, or may be substituted for another.

Thirty change (R.V. changes) of garments.

Switch

A device for shifting an electric current to another circuit, or for making and breaking a circuit.

Change

Small money; the money by means of which the larger coins and bank bills are made available in small dealings; hence, the balance returned when payment is tendered by a coin or note exceeding the sum due.

Switch

To strike with a switch or small flexible rod; to whip.

Change

A place where merchants and others meet to transact business; a building appropriated for mercantile transactions.

Switch

To swing or whisk; as, to switch a cane.

Change

A public house; an alehouse.

They call an alehouse a change.

Switch

To trim, as, a hedge.

Change

Any order in which a number of bells are struck, other than that of the diatonic scale.

Four bells admit twenty-four changes in ringing.

Switch

To turn from one railway track to another; to transfer by a switch; - generally with off, from, etc.; as, to switch off a train; to switch a car from one track to another.

Change

An event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another;

The change was intended to increase sales

This storm is certainly a change for the worse

The neighborhood had undergone few modifications since his last visit years ago

Switch

To shift to another circuit.

Change

A relational difference between states; especially between states before and after some event;

He attributed the change to their marriage

Switch

To walk with a jerk.

Change

The action of changing something;

The change of government had no impact on the economy

His change on abortion cost him the election

Switch

Control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit

Change

The result of alteration or modification;

There were marked changes in the lining of the lungs

There had been no change in the mountains

Switch

An event in which one thing is substituted for another;

The replacement of lost blood by a transfusion of donor blood

Change

The balance of money received when the amount you tender is greater than the amount due;

I paid with a twenty and pocketed the change

Switch

Hairpiece consisting of a tress of false hair; used by women to give shape to a coiffure

Change

A thing that is different;

He inspected several changes before selecting one

Switch

Railroad track having two movable rails and necessary connections; used to turn a train from one track to another or to store rolling stock

Change

A different or fresh set of clothes;

She brought a change in her overnight bag

Switch

A flexible implement used as an instrument of punishment

Change

Coins of small denomination regarded collectively;

He had a pocketful of change

Switch

A basketball maneuver; two defensive players shift assignments so that each guards the player usually guarded by the other

Change

Money received in return for its equivalent in a larger denomination or a different currency;

He got change for a twenty and used it to pay the taxi driver

Switch

The act of changing one thing or position for another;

His switch on abortion cost him the election

Change

A difference that is usually pleasant;

He goes to France for variety

It is a refreshing change to meet a woman mechanic

Switch

Change over, change around, or switch over

Change

Undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature;

She changed completely as she grew older

The weather changed last night

Switch

Exchange or give (something) in exchange for

Change

Cause to change; make different; cause a transformation;

The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city

The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue

Switch

Lay aside, abandon, or leave for another;

Switch to a different brand of beer

She switched psychiatrists

The car changed lanes

Change

Make or 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

The supermarket's selection of vegetables varies according to the season

Switch

Make a shift in or exchange of;

First Joe led; then we switched

Change

Lay aside, abandon, or leave for another;

Switch to a different brand of beer

She switched psychiatrists

The car changed lanes

Switch

Cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation;

Switch on the light

Throw the lever

Change

Change clothes; put on different clothes;

Change before you go to the opera

Switch

Flog with or as if with a flexible rod

Change

Exchange or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category;

Could you convert my dollars into pounds?

He changed his name

Convert centimeters into inches

Convert holdings into shares

Switch

Reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)

Change

Give to, and receive from, one another;

Would you change places with me?

We have been exchanging letters for a year

Change

Change from one vehicle or transportation line to another;

She changed in Chicago on her way to the East coast

Change

Become deeper in tone;

His voice began to change when he was 12 years old

Her voice deepened when she whispered the password

Change

Remove or replace the coverings of;

Father had to learn how to change the baby

After each guest we changed the bed linens

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