transliterate

[ trans-lit-uh-reyt, tranz- ]

verb (used with object)

, trans·lit·er·at·ed, trans·lit·er·at·ing.

1. to change (letters, words, etc.) into corresponding characters of another alphabet or language:

   to transliterate the Greek Χ as ch.

transliterate

/ trænzˈlɪtəˌreɪt /

verb

1. tr to transcribe (a word, etc, in one alphabet) into corresponding letters of another alphabet

   the Greek word λογοσ can be transliterated as ``logos''

Derived Forms

• transˈliterˌator, noun
• ˌtransliterˈation, noun

Other Words From

• trans·lit·er·a·tion [trans-lit-, uh, -, rey, -sh, uh, n, tranz-], noun
• trans·lit·er·a·tor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of transliterate¹

First recorded 1860–65; trans- + Latin lītter(a), litter(a) letter ¹ + -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of transliterate¹

C19: trans- + -literate , from Latin līttera letter

Example Sentences

The city has asked translators to furnish names that are transliterated, a process that more closely approximates English pronunciations.

From New York Times

There’s a word in Japanese that transliterates to “komorebi” and refers to a phenomenon for which there is no single word in English: the quality of light as it filters through foliage.

From New York Times

She remembered seeing that her mother had transliterated the words in her score for Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” into Chinese, so that she could pronounce them correctly.

From New York Times

In it, a verse by Grade in transliterated Yiddish alludes to both his affection and ambivalence.

From New York Times

We transcribed every handwritten name on the lists into a database, transliterating them from Arabic to English.

From New York Times

Related Words

• decipher
• duplicate
• interpret
• reprint
• reproduce
• rewrite
• translate
• write out