transform

[trans-fawrm, 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.

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 ^–1 AX for some appropriate X

Other Word Forms

• transformable adjective
• transformative adjective
• intertransformable adjective
• nontransforming adjective
• retransform verb (used with object)
• self-transformed adjective
• untransformable adjective
• untransformed adjective
• untransforming 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

"It shouldn't be any secret that I used AI-assisted vocal processing to transform solely my voice for I Run," Walker explained.

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In a tribute to the man who he described as "a radical and a pioneer", Rajan wrote that Sir Andreas had "profoundly transformed British journalism for the better, and forever."

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It is fair to say Your Party leaves Liverpool transformed from the party that arrived.

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"Lines on maps started to symbolize the limits of political sovereignties rather than the boundless divine promises. This transformed the way that the Bible's descriptions of geographical space were understood."

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Nearly 30 inmates, selected for good behavior, donned tuxedos with pink boutonnieres and waited as daughters, some dressed in formal gowns, were led into the prison’s Bible college transformed into a makeshift dance hall.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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