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

Jurado said she wants to help Latino residents fight the gentrification that radically transformed her native Highland Park and has crept into Boyle Heights over the past decade.

From Los Angeles Times

Roberts went on to say that his desire to transform America was rooted in childhood trauma.

From Salon

"In just 36 hours, this fungal growth is really kind of transforming what otherwise is pretty inedible."

From Salon

However, a drug alone will not transform smoking rates.

From BBC

"The five-year programme will secure links to even more global destinations, helping transform the airport journey," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

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