transform
Americanverb (used with object)
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to change in form, appearance, or structure; metamorphose.
- Synonyms:
- transfigure
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to change in condition, nature, or character; convert.
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to change into another substance; transmute.
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Electricity.
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to increase or decrease (the voltage and current characteristics of an alternating-current circuit), as by means of a transformer.
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to decrease (the voltage and current characteristics of a direct-current circuit), as by means of a transformer.
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Mathematics. to change the form of (a figure, expression, etc.) without in general changing the value.
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Physics. to change into another form of energy.
verb (used without object)
noun
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Mathematics.
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a mathematical quantity obtained from a given quantity by an algebraic, geometric, or functional transformation.
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the transformation itself.
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the result of a transformation.
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a transformation.
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Logic. transformation.
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Linguistics. a structure derived by a transformation.
verb
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to alter or be altered radically in form, function, etc
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(tr) to convert (one form of energy) to another form
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(tr) maths to change the form of (an equation, expression, etc) by a mathematical transformation
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(tr) to increase or decrease (an alternating current or voltage) using a transformer
noun
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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intertransformableadjective
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nontransformingadjective
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self-transformedadjective
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transformableadjective
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transformativeadjective
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untransformableadjective
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untransformedadjective
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untransformingadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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transformsimple
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transformssimple
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have transformedperfect
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has transformedperfect
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am transformingprogressive
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are transformingprogressive
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is transformingprogressive
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have been transformingperfect progressive
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has been transformingperfect progressive
Past
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transformedsimple
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had transformedperfect
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was transformingprogressive
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were transformingprogressive
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had been transformingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of transform
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English transformen, from Latin trānsfōrmāre “to change in shape”; see trans-, form
Explanation
When you transform you change from one thing or state to another. Picture a transformer that changes from a robot to a car. Simple, right? Caterpillars transform into butterflies, a forest is transformed by a snowfall, and a city can be transformed by a new government or a changing economy. Transform means a big change in appearance or in essence. The Internet has transformed how we live our day-to-day lives, but you wouldn't say that moving a throw pillow has transformed your living room.
Vocabulary lists containing transform
Shape Up: Form
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Starting Your New Life: Inspiring Words from Commencement Speeches
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Brown Girl Dreaming
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Transform faults similar to Gofar are found throughout Earth's oceans.
From Science Daily • May 16, 2026
He’s also the founder and CEO of Transform Ventures, a blockchain-investment and advisory firm.
From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026
“The goal of Transform to Outperform is to achieve significant growth and productivity gains that elevate Dow’s competitive position,” said Karen S. Carter, Dow’s chief operating officer, in a statement.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026
The Transform to Outperform program aims to improve earnings by an additional $2 billion a year and includes the elimination of some 4,500 jobs.
From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026
"Transform, transform!" she cried again, her voice rising like a song.
From Three John Silence Stories by Blackwood, Algernon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
