• 2-minute read
• 18th September 2014

Word Choice: Alter vs. Altar

One letter separates these words in spelling, yet confusing them would mean using a verb instead of a noun (or vice versa). Moreover, while ‘alter’ is fairly common in English, ‘altar’ should only be used in a specific context. Learn more about the definition of these words below.

Alter

The word ‘alter’ is a verb meaning ‘change or modify’. Usually, to ‘alter’ something is to cause a slight but significant change:

Mr Jones altered his will to include his grandchildren.

‘Alter’ is also used in the specific context of clothes alterations, as in:

Lizzie had her ball gown altered to fit her perfectly.

Altar

The word ‘altar’ is a noun used to describe the ceremonial table in Christian churches. In Catholicism, for instance, the altar is the table on which bread and wine are consecrated during Communion.

‘Altar’ is also found in a common idiom: ‘to sacrifice X on the altar of X’. This means to neglect or forget something in favour of something else. The phrase tends to be used in a negative way, for example:

He sacrificed his integrity on the altar of success.

The Difference

Using ‘alter’ in the place of ‘altar’ may seem like a small error, but academic writing requires precision. As such, any error which detracts from clarity in your work should be avoided! Put very simply:

Alter (verb) = Make a change

Altar (noun) = A ceremonial table

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