Your Quick Guide to Alter vs. Altar

Your Quick Guide to Alter vs. Altar Choosing between alter and altar is really quite simple once you realize that one is a verb (alter) and the other is a noun (altar). At that point, its just a matter of determining whether you need a noun or a verb in the context of a sentence. Lets look at the two definitions:Alter is a verb meaning to make different without changing into something else or to become different. The only time you will see it in another context would be as an adjective (for example, alter ego). In that sense, it will still retain the meaning of having changed but be used as an adjective instead.Altar, on the other hand, is a noun meaning a usually raised structure or place on which sacrifices are offered or incense is burned in worship- often used figuratively to describe a thing given great or undue precedence or value especially at the cost of something else [for example, sacrificed his family life on the altar of career advancement].As you can see, simply looking at the context of the word in the se ntence will help clarify which word (altar vs. alter) should be used. Here are some examples of each word used in context correctly:AlterWhen you dye your hair, you will alter its texture.Dont alter that photo, we want to make sure its the original.AltarThe bride and groom said their vows at an altar decorated with flowers and candles.The ceremony will take place at the churchs altar.