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

An ambitious plan to map all 37 trillion cells in the human body is transforming understanding of how our bodies work, scientists report.

From BBC

Therefore, they changed into old new towns and had to transform their facilities.

From Science Daily

After Edward elects to undergo an experimental medical treatment, he begins to transform — his old face literally crumbles off — and the theme accentuates his melancholy and metamorphosis with dark beauty and sludgy textures.

From Los Angeles Times

An area previously known as Motel Drive, where illicit sex and drug sales once were rampant, has been transformed as the city bought up dilapidated motels.

From Los Angeles Times

Musk has transformed the space business by creating resusable booster rockets that cut costs, such as the company’s workhorse Falcon 9, which sends satellites into space.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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