transformative

[ trans-fawr-muh-tiv ]

adjective

1. causing a radical and typically positive change in outlook, character, form, or condition: Voting is a culturally and socially transformative action.

   It's difficult to put into words how transformative and enriching it is to study abroad.

   Voting is a culturally and socially transformative action.

Other Words From

• un·trans·form·a·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of transformative¹

First recorded in 1660–70; from Medieval Latin transformātīvus, equivalent to Latin transformāt-, stem of transformāre, + -īvus -ive ( def ); transform ( def )

Example Sentences

Right now, hydrogen is high-carbon, and expensive—not exactly a promising state for a transformative, low-carbon fuel.

From Fortune

Acquired in a surprise March trade after the San Francisco 49ers decided they couldn’t meet the young Pro Bowler’s asking price on an extension, Buckner has had a transformative impact on the Colts’ defense.

From FiveThirtyEight

I continue to think big and look for transformative opportunities in business and in life.

From Fortune

We seek to accelerate projects that offer not only solutions but plans for rapid implementation—projects that are transformative, broad in scope, and large in ambition.

From MIT Technology Review

The coinciding pieces of legislation would prove transformative.

From Washington Post

At a rally in Pittsburgh a week before the election, Johnson laid out an ambitious, transformative vision for the United States.

From The Daily Beast

Is that level of belief, is that amount of love transformative?

From The Daily Beast

Her ballerinas are not aiming to enter show business, but rather to offer their community the transformative gift of dance.

From The Daily Beast

CrossFit is in some ways more transformative for women than men.

From The Daily Beast

Truly transformative experiences don't come for free, after all.

From The Daily Beast

Let us consider such a mental transformative process in detail.

From Project Gutenberg

Surely at least the unclear conception of an adaptively transformative influence of food must be discarded.

From Project Gutenberg

Shelley has, however, an advantage over Nietzsche in his recognition of the transformative power of love.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• life-changing
• transformational