Exchange vs. Interchange: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Exchange is the action of offering something and getting something else in return. Interchange, on the other hand, involves the act of replacing one thing with another or shifting roles or elements in a process.
Key Differences
Exchange typically implies a mutual transaction, where items, ideas, or services are traded between parties. Interchange, however, often refers to the substitution or alternation of items or roles, emphasizing the act of replacement rather than trade.
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Nov 19, 2023
In an exchange, there's usually an implied balance or equality in value, as seen in currency exchange or bartering. In contrast, interchange can involve the swapping of components or roles without necessarily implying equality, as in interchangeable parts in machinery.
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Nov 19, 2023
Exchange is commonly used in economic and social contexts, where goods, services, or communication are exchanged. Interchange is more frequently used in situations involving the substitution of equivalent elements, like in language (word interchange) or transportation (interchange of routes).
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Nov 19, 2023
Exchanges are often transactional and can be one-time or recurring events. Interchanges, on the other hand, suggest a more fluid or dynamic process of swapping or alternating, often used in the context of systems or processes.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 19, 2023
The concept of exchange is rooted in reciprocity and interaction between parties, whereas interchange emphasizes the modularity and replaceability of elements within a system or structure.
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Nov 19, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Primary Context
Economic, social transactions
Substitution, alternation in systems
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Nov 19, 2023
Implication of Equality
Often implies equal value
Does not necessarily imply equality
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Nov 19, 2023
Frequency of Use
Transactional, one-time or recurring
Fluid, dynamic swapping or alternating
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Nov 19, 2023
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Exchange and Interchange Definitions
Exchange
A place where financial transactions occur.
The stock exchange was bustling with traders.
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Nov 19, 2023
Interchange
The act of substituting one thing for another.
The software allows easy interchange of data formats.
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Nov 19, 2023
Exchange
To give in return for something received; trade
Exchange dollars for francs.
Exchanging labor for room and board.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interchange
The ability to be exchanged with another.
The device's parts were designed for easy interchange.
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Nov 19, 2023
Exchange
To give and receive reciprocally; interchange
Exchange gifts.
Exchange ideas.
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Oct 19, 2023
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Interchange
A road junction allowing traffic movement between roads.
The new interchange reduced traffic congestion significantly.
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Nov 19, 2023
Exchange
To give up for a substitute
Exchange a position in the private sector for a post in government.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
To turn in for replacement
Exchange defective merchandise at a store.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
To give something in return for something received; make an exchange.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interchange
To cause to succeed each other in a series or pattern; alternate
Interchanged gold and silver beads in the bracelet.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
To be received in exchange
At that time the British pound exchanged for $2.80.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
The act or an instance of exchanging
A prisoner exchange.
An exchange of greetings.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
A place or network for exchanging things, especially a center where securities or commodities are bought and sold.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interchange
A highway intersection that employs ramps and overpasses or underpasses to permit traffic to move freely from one road to another without crossing another line of traffic.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interchange
(transitive) to switch (each of two things)
To interchange places
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
A system of payments using instruments, such as negotiable drafts, instead of money.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interchange
(transitive) to mutually give and receive (something); to exchange
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
The fee or percentage charged for participating in such a system of payment.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interchange
(transitive) to alternate; to intermingle or vary
To interchange cares with pleasures
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Oct 19, 2023
Interchange
(transport) To act as or carry out an interchange (noun, senses 2, 3).
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
The amount of difference in the actual value of two or more currencies or between values of the same currency at two or more places.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interchange
A highway junction in which traffic may change from one road to another without crossing a stream of traffic.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
Of or relating to a reciprocal arrangement between a local and a foreign institution or group
An exchange student.
Exchange programs for students learning foreign languages.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interchange
(rail transport) A connection between two or more lines, services or modes of transport; a station at which such a connection can be made.
Holborn tube station is the only interchange between the London Underground Central and Piccadilly Lines.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
An act of exchanging or trading.
All in all, it was an even exchange.
An exchange of cattle for grain
I'll help you out this time, depending on what can you give me in exchange.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interchange
To put each in the place of the other; to give and take mutually; to exchange; to reciprocate; as, to interchange places; they interchanged friendly offices and services.
I shall interchangeMy waned state for Henry's regal crown.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
A place for conducting trading.
The stock exchange is open for trading.
The old corn exchange has been converted into a music venue.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interchange
To cause to follow alternately; to intermingle; to vary; as, to interchange cares with pleasures.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
The fourth through sixth digits of a ten-digit phone number (the first three before the introduction of area codes).
The 555 exchange is reserved for use by the phone company, which is why it's often used in films.
NPA-NXX-1234 is standard format, where NPA is the area code and NXX is the exchange.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interchange
The act of mutually changing; the act of mutually giving and receiving; exchange; as, the interchange of civilities between two persons.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
A conversation.
After a lengthy exchange with the manager, we were no wiser.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interchange
The mutual exchange of commodities between two persons or countries; barter; commerce.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interchange
Alternate succession; alternation; a mingling.
The interchanges of light and darkness.
Sweet interchangeOf hill and valley, rivers, woods, and plains.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
(usually with "the") The loss of a minor piece (typically a bishop or knight) and associated capture of the more advantageous rook.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interchange
An intersection between highways, having two or more levels and a series of connecting roadways so that traffic on one highway may pass over or under the other highway without crossing through the line of traffic, and vehicles may pass from one highway to the other while traffic on both highways continues uninterrupted. A common interchange is the cloverleaf.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
(obsolete) The thing given or received in return; especially, a publication exchanged for another.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interchange
A junction of highways on different levels that permits traffic to move from one to another without crossing traffic streams
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Exchange
(biochemistry) The transfer of substances or elements like gas, amino-acids, ions etc. sometimes through a surface like a membrane.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interchange
Mutual interaction; the activity of interchanging or reciprocating
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Exchange
(finance) The difference between the values of money in different places.
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Interchange
Reciprocal transfer of equivalent sums of money especially the currencies of different countries;
He earns his living from the interchange of currency
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Interchange
Give to, and receive from, one another;
Would you change places with me?
We have been exchanging letters for a year
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
(transitive) To trade or barter.
I'll gladly exchange my place for yours.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interchange
Cause to change places;
Interchange this screw for one of a smaller size
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
To mutually direct at each other.
The opposing soldiers exchanged fire across the burning streets.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
(transitive) To replace with, as a substitute.
I'd like to exchange this shirt for one in a larger size.
Since his arrest, the mob boss has exchanged a mansion for a jail cell.
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Oct 19, 2023
Interchange
The process of alternating or switching roles.
The actors' interchange of roles added complexity to the play.
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Nov 19, 2023
Interchange
A conversation involving an exchange of ideas.
The panel discussion was an interesting interchange of viewpoints.
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Nov 19, 2023
Exchange
The act of giving or taking one thing in return for another which is regarded as an equivalent; as, an exchange of cattle for grain.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
The act of substituting one thing in the place of another; as, an exchange of grief for joy, or of a scepter for a sword, and the like; also, the act of giving and receiving reciprocally; as, an exchange of civilities or views.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
The thing given or received in return; esp., a publication exchanged for another.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
The process of setting accounts or debts between parties residing at a distance from each other, without the intervention of money, by exchanging orders or drafts, called bills of exchange. These may be drawn in one country and payable in another, in which case they are called foreign bills; or they may be drawn and made payable in the same country, in which case they are called inland bills. The term bill of exchange is often abbreviated into exchange; as, to buy or sell exchange.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
A mutual grant of equal interests, the one in consideration of the other. Estates exchanged must be equal in quantity, as fee simple for fee simple.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
The place where the merchants, brokers, and bankers of a city meet at certain hours, to transact business; also, the institution which sets regulations and maintains the physical facilities of such a place; as, the New York Stock Exchange; a commodity exchange. In this sense the word was at one time often contracted to 'change
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
To part with give, or transfer to another in consideration of something received as an equivalent; - usually followed by for before the thing received.
Exchange his sheep for shells, or wool for a sparking pebble or a diamond.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
To part with for a substitute; to lay aside, quit, or resign (something being received in place of the thing parted with); as, to exchange a palace for cell.
And death for life exchanged foolishly.
To shift his beingIs to exchange one misery with another.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
To give and receive reciprocally, as things of the same kind; to barter; to swap; as, to exchange horses with a neighbor; to exchange houses or hats.
Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet.
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
To be changed or received in exchange for; to pass in exchange; as, dollar exchanges for ten dimes.
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Exchange
Chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another
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Exchange
A mutual expression of views (especially an unpleasant one);
They had a bitter exchange
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
The act of changing one thing for another thing;
Adam was promised immortality in exchange for his disobedience
There was an exchange of prisoners
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
The act of giving something in return for something received;
Deductible losses on sales or exchanges of property are allowable
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
A workplace that serves as a telecommunications facility where lines from telephones can be connected together to permit communication
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
(sports) an unbroken sequence of several successive strokes;
After a short rally Connors won the point
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
Reciprocal transfer of equivalent sums of money especially the currencies of different countries;
He earns his living from the interchange of currency
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
The act of putting one thing or person in the place of another:
He sent Smith in for Jones but the substitution came too late to help
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
(chess) gaining (or losing) a rook in return for a knight or bishop;
Black lost the exchange
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
(chess) the capture by both players (usually on consecutive moves) of pieces of equal value;
The endgame began after the exchange of queens
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
Give to, and receive from, one another;
Would you change places with me?
We have been exchanging letters for a year
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
Exchange or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category;
Could you convert my dollars into pounds?
He changed his name
Convert centimeters into inches
Convert holdings into shares
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Oct 19, 2023
Exchange
Hand over one and receive another, approximately equivalent;
Exchange prisoners
Exchange employees between branches of the company
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Exchange
A process of trading goods or services.
They agreed to an exchange of books for DVDs.
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Nov 19, 2023
Exchange
The act of giving and receiving information.
The diplomats had a productive exchange of ideas.
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Exchange
A reciprocal arrangement between entities.
The students participated in a cultural exchange program.
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Nov 19, 2023
Exchange
The process of replacing one thing with another.
The phone company offered an exchange for the old model.
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Nov 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can interchange imply replacement?
Yes, interchange often involves substituting one thing for another.
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Nov 19, 2023
Are exchanges always between two parties?
Typically, but they can involve multiple parties in complex trades.
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Nov 19, 2023
Can exchanges be non-physical?
Yes, like the exchange of ideas or information.
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Nov 19, 2023
Does interchange require similarity?
Often, especially when parts or roles are interchanged.
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Nov 19, 2023
Can interchange be used in conversation?
Yes, referring to the exchange of ideas or dialogue.
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Nov 19, 2023
Can an exchange involve services?
Yes, such as in service exchange agreements.
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Nov 19, 2023
Are exchanges common in cultural contexts?
Yes, such as in cultural exchange programs.
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Nov 19, 2023
Is a stock exchange a type of exchange?
Yes, it's a marketplace for trading stocks and securities.
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Nov 19, 2023
Is interchange used in manufacturing?
Yes, particularly with interchangeable parts.
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Nov 19, 2023
What is the primary purpose of an exchange?
An exchange primarily involves trading items or ideas of equal value.
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Nov 19, 2023
Can interchange be used in transportation?
Yes, as in road interchanges where different routes converge.
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Nov 19, 2023
Is exchange always monetary?
No, exchanges can also involve bartering goods or information.
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Nov 19, 2023
Can interchange be automatic?
Yes, especially in systems like automatic data interchange.
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Nov 19, 2023
Are road interchanges important in urban planning?
Yes, for managing traffic flow and connectivity.
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Nov 19, 2023
Are language exchanges beneficial?
Yes, they aid in learning and cultural exchange.
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Nov 19, 2023
Is interchangeability a feature in product design?
Yes, for ease of replacement and compatibility.
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Nov 19, 2023
Is interchange common in technology?
Yes, especially in the interchange of data or software components.
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Nov 19, 2023
Can exchanges be virtual?
Yes, like in online trading platforms or digital communication.
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Nov 19, 2023
Do interchanges reduce traffic jams?
Often, by improving road network connectivity.
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Nov 19, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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