transform

[ verb trans-fawrm; noun trans-fawrm ]

verb (used with object)

1. to change in form, appearance, or structure; metamorphose.

   Synonyms: transfigure

2. to change in condition, nature, or character; convert.
3. to change into another substance; transmute.
4. Electricity.
   1. to increase or decrease (the voltage and current characteristics of an alternating-current circuit), as by means of a transformer.
   2. to decrease (the voltage and current characteristics of a direct-current circuit), as by means of a transformer.
5. Mathematics. to change the form of (a figure, expression, etc.) without in general changing the value.
6. Physics. to change into another form of energy.

verb (used without object)

1. to undergo a change in form, appearance, or character; become transformed.

noun

1. Mathematics.
   1. a mathematical quantity obtained from a given quantity by an algebraic, geometric, or functional transformation.
   2. the transformation itself.
2. the result of a transformation.
3. a transformation.
4. Logic. transformation ( def 5 ).
5. Linguistics. a structure derived by a transformation.

transform

verb

1. to alter or be altered radically in form, function, etc
2. tr to convert (one form of energy) to another form
3. tr maths to change the form of (an equation, expression, etc) by a mathematical transformation
4. tr to increase or decrease (an alternating current or voltage) using a transformer

noun

1. maths the result of a mathematical transformation, esp (of a matrix or an element of a group) another related to the given one by B = X ^–1AX for some appropriate X

Derived Forms

• transˈformable, adjective
• transˈformative, adjective

Other Words From

• trans·form·a·ble adjective
• trans·form·a·tive adjective
• in·ter·trans·form·a·ble adjective
• non·trans·form·ing adjective
• re·trans·form verb (used with object)
• self-trans·formed adjective
• un·trans·form·a·ble adjective
• un·trans·formed adjective
• un·trans·form·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of transform¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English transformen, from Latin trānsfōrmāre “to change in shape”; trans-, form

Word History and Origins

Origin of transform¹

C14: from Latin transformāre , from trans- + formāre to form

Synonym Study

Transform , convert mean to change one thing into another. Transform suggests changing from one form, appearance, structure, or type to another: to transform soybeans into oil and meal by pressure. Convert suggests so changing the characteristics as to change the use or purpose: to convert a barn into a house.

Example Sentences

These immigrants were not just moved to a place where residents were getting better food; their visual world was also drastically transformed.

From Science Daily

The first humans to reach this land brought a tool they used to transform the landscape and that left the first lasting marks of their presence: fire.

From Science Magazine

Mr Musk's initial legal action filed in March argued the agreement had transformed it into "a closed-source de facto subsidiary" of the PC giant.

From BBC

Los Angeles is set to build a facility in the San Fernando Valley that will transform wastewater into enough pure drinking water for about 250,000 people.

From Los Angeles Times

A fossil discovery could transform the understanding of how the brains and intelligence of modern birds have evolved.

From BBC

Related Words

• alter
• convert
• mold
• mutate
• reconstruct
• remodel
• revamp
• revolutionize
• transfer
• translate