Altar vs. Alter: What's the Difference?
The words altar and alter may sound similar, but they have entirely different meanings and uses. An altar is a noun that refers to a sacred table or platform used in religious rites, often found in places of worship. Alter, on the other hand, is a verb that means to change or modify something. These contrasting definitions are pivotal to ensuring each word is used appropriately within its proper context.
How do you use the word altar in a sentence?
The word altar is used as a noun that denotes a holy table or place where religious rituals and offerings take place. It often appears in discussions related to churches, temples, or religious ceremonies. To use the word correctly, remember that it always represents a physical object associated with spiritual or religious acts.
Examples of altar in a sentence
- The newlyweds stood before the altar to exchange their vows.
- Candles and incense adorned the altar during the ceremony.
- The ancient altar was uncovered during the archaeological excavation.
How do you use the word alter in a sentence?
Alter is a verb describing an action to make something different without changing it into something else. It can pertain to making changes to physical objects like clothes or to more abstract concepts like plans or opinions. When using the word 'alter,' emphasize the act of modification or transformation.
Examples of alter in a sentence
- She decided to alter her wedding dress to fit more comfortably.
- The architect needed to alter the blueprints to comply with the new regulations.
- Unexpected weather conditions forced the pilot to alter the flight path.
Altar and alter definition, parts of speech, and pronunciation
Altar definition:
An altar is a noun that refers to a table or flat-topped block used as the focus for a religious ritual, especially for making sacrifices or offerings to a deity.
Altar parts of speech:
Altar pronunciation:
Altar is pronounced /ˈɔːltər/, with the emphasis on the first syllable.
Alter definition:
Alter is a verb that means to change or make different; modify. It can apply to various contexts, from physical alterations to changing an opinion or plan.
Alter parts of speech:
Alter pronunciation:
Alter is pronounced /ˈɔːltər/, identical to altar but distinguished by context.
An altar is a noun that refers to a table or flat-topped block used as the focus for a religious ritual, especially for making sacrifices or offerings to a deity.
Altar parts of speech:
- As a noun, the altar is the focal point in various religious ceremonies. For example: 'The priest approached the altar to begin the Mass.'
Altar pronunciation:
Altar is pronounced /ˈɔːltər/, with the emphasis on the first syllable.
Alter definition:
Alter is a verb that means to change or make different; modify. It can apply to various contexts, from physical alterations to changing an opinion or plan.
Alter parts of speech:
- As a verb, alter suggests a range of modifications or adjustments. For instance: 'He had to alter his expectations once he learned the full scope of the project.'
Alter pronunciation:
Alter is pronounced /ˈɔːltər/, identical to altar but distinguished by context.
Altar vs. alter in a nutshell
Though altar and alter sound alike, their meanings diverge sharply. An altar is a physical structure used in religious practices, embodying a noun in linguistic terms. In contrast, alter is an action word, a verb that describes the process of modification or change. Remembering this distinction ensures clarity in communication, whether one describes a spiritual space or denotes an adjustment. Pronunciation for both terms is the same, cautioning careful listeners to rely on context for understanding.
Get AI Writing Assistance Wherever You Type
Make sure your vocabulary is on point and every punctuation mark is in the right place, no matter where you’re working. Grammarly works across more than 500,000 websites and apps so you can improve your writing without copying, pasting, or breaking focused.
More Commonly Confused Words
Interest piqued? Pore (not pour) over other commonly confused words to help your writing reach peak (not peek) performance.