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

She said this would transform opportunities for young people.

From BBC

He was an early investor in lidar technology, recognizing during his former career as an aerial cinematographer that it has the potential to transform archaeology.

From Salon

Sardinians fear this energy transition will transform their landscape and invade their territory, with the greatest benefits going to Italian and international corporate speculators.

From Salon

Next up could be the SPring-8 synchrotron, a facility Japan will start to upgrade next year, with plans to transform it into SPring-8-II by 2029.

From Science Magazine

After months of detailed discussions between director Jon M. Chu, composer Stephen Schwartz and book writer Winnie Holzman about potentially sacrificing songs or subplots, “it became very clear that you cannot tell this story in one movie, and if you did, you’d have to literally transform it into something very different, and that’s not something I was interested in doing,” Chu told The Times.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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