“Altar” vs. “Alter”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “altar” and “alter”

  • An altar is a raised platform or table used in religious ceremonies or worship, while to alter is to make a change or modification to something.
  • Altar is typically used in a religious context, while alter is used more broadly to refer to any kind of change.
  • Altar is a noun, while alter is a verb.
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What is the definition of “altar” and “alter”?

Altar
  • An altar is a raised platform or table used in religious ceremonies or worship.
  • It is often decorated with religious symbols and may hold candles, incense, or other sacred items.
  • Altars are found in many different religious traditions around the world.
Alter
  • To alter is to make a change or modification to something.
  • It can refer to physical changes, such as altering the appearance of a room, or to more abstract changes such as altering one's behavior or beliefs.
  • Altering can also refer to changing the form or structure of a material object.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Alter” is the more popular variant on the web.
Altar
116,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The couple knelt at the altar to exchange their wedding vows.
  2. The priest lit the candles on the altar before beginning the ceremony.
  3. The church's altar was made of solid marble and intricately carved.
More popular
Alter
832,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The tailor promised to alter the dress to fit perfectly.
  2. The company decided to alter their marketing strategy after conducting market research.
  3. The personal trainer suggested altering the exercise routine to target different muscles.
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