interchange
interchange Lexical Profile
interchange Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A road junction designed on multiple levels with ramps so that traffic streams do not intersect directly, allowing vehicles to pass from one highway to another without stopping.
"Traffic slowed considerably as commuters approached the busy highway interchange during rush hour."
The action of exchanging things, especially information, ideas, or goods, with others on a mutual basis.
"The international conference fostered a productive interchange of scientific ideas among researchers."
An alternation or succession of two or more different things, states, or conditions.
"The poem's rhythm relies on a subtle interchange of light and shadow throughout the stanzas."
• verb
To put each of two things in the place of the other, or to exchange positions, roles, or items reciprocally.
"The mechanic noted that you can easily interchange the front and rear tires on this vehicle model."
To alternate or occur in turns successively.
"Periods of heavy rain interchanged with brief spells of bright sunshine throughout the afternoon."
Word Nuance & Usage
Like many two-syllable English words derived from French or Latin, 'interchange' shifts its stress pattern depending on its part of speech: the noun is typically stressed on the first syllable (IN-ter-change), whereas the verb is stressed on the final syllable (in-ter-CHANGE).
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old French 'entrechangier', formed from 'entre-' (from Latin 'inter-', meaning 'between' or 'among') and 'changier' (to change or exchange, ultimately from Late Latin 'cambiare').