Contract basics

Amendment

A written, signed change to an existing contract.

What it means

An amendment is a change to an existing contract that the parties agree to after signing — adding, removing, or rewriting terms. Most written contracts require amendments to be in writing and signed by both parties, which means a verbal 'we agreed to change that' is often not enforceable on its own.

Why it matters before you sign

If the contract says changes must be written and signed, a handshake change may not count — get every modification documented the way the contract requires.

In a contract, it looks like this

The parties signed an amendment extending the delivery deadline by thirty days and increasing the contract price accordingly.

This definition is a general, educational explanation — not legal advice. XOsign provides AI-assisted document tools and does not provide legal advice; consider consulting a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation. Requirements vary by state.

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What Is Amendment? Plain-Language Definition · XOsign