convert

¹ American  

[kuhn-vurt, kon-vurt] / kənˈvɜrt, ˈkɒn vɜrt /

verb (used with object)

1. to change (something) into a different form or properties; transmute; transform.

2. to cause to adopt a different religion, political doctrine, opinion, etc..

   to convert the heathen.

   Synonyms:

   proselytize

3. to turn to another or a particular use or purpose; divert from the original or intended use.

   They converted the study into a nursery for the baby.

4. to modify (something) so as to serve a different function.

   to convert an automobile factory to the manufacture of tanks.

5. to obtain an equivalent value for in an exchange or calculation, as money or units of measurement.

   to convert bank notes into gold; to convert yards into meters.

6. Finance. to exchange voluntarily (a bond or preferred stock) into another security, usually common stock, because of the greater value of the latter.

7. to change in character; cause to turn from an evil life to a righteous one.

   to convert a criminal.

8. Chemistry. to cause (a substance) to undergo a chemical change.

   to convert sugar into alcohol.

9. to invert or transpose.

10. Law.

    1. to assume unlawful rights of ownership of (personal property).

    2. to change the form of (property), as from realty to personalty or vice versa.

11. to appropriate wrongfully to one's own use.

12. Logic. to transpose the subject and predicate of (a proposition) by conversion.

13. Computers. to subject to conversion.

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verb (used without object)

1. to become converted.

2. Football. to make a conversion.

noun

1. one who has been converted, as to a religion or opinion.

   Synonyms:

   neophyte, proselyte, novice

convert ² American  

[kon-vurt] / ˈkɒn vɜrt /

noun

Informal.

1. a convertible automobile.

2. a convertible bond.

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convert British  

verb

1. to change or adapt the form, character, or function of; transform

2. to cause (someone) to change in opinion, belief, etc

3. to change (a person or his way of life, etc) for the better

4. (intr) to admit of being changed (into)

   the table converts into a tray

5. (also intr) to change or be changed into another chemical compound or physical state

   to convert water into ice

6. law

   1. to assume unlawful proprietary rights over (personal property)

   2. to change (property) from realty into personalty or vice versa

7. (also intr) rugby to make a conversion after (a try)

8. logic to transpose the subject and predicate of (a proposition) by conversion

9. to change (a value or measurement) from one system of units to another

10. to exchange (a security or bond) for something of equivalent value

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noun

1. a person who has been converted to another belief, religion, etc

Synonym Usage

See transform.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• convertive
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of convert¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English verb converten, from Latin convertere “to change completely,” equivalent to con- intensive prefix + vertere “to turn”; noun convert replacing converse, Middle English convers, ultimately from Latin conversus; see also converse ², verse ¹

Origin of convert²

By shortening of convertible

Explanation

Think of the word convert as meaning "change," whether it is a person who adopts a new belief, or a changing action, such as when you convert dollars into euros. Many times we can catch a word's meaning by looking at its origins. In this case, the Latin con means "around," while vertere means "turn." So we can figure that convert means to "turn around," an object or one's thoughts on an idea. For example, you might convert a meat eater into a vegetarian or an empty-nester might convert the kids' bedroom into an exercise room.

Example Sentences

Granting nonprofit status to an essentially commercial entity is a mistake, especially if the option to convert to profit-making status remains.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

“Getting attention is the first barrier, and then once you have that attention, how do you convert that into support?” says Democratic campaign consultant and strategist Brian Brokaw.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

To help meet growing demand, many regions, from California to parts of the Middle East, rely on desalination plants that convert seawater into fresh water.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2026

The Regency home was the former residence of the first Governor of Australia, Lachlan MacQuarrie, but had been decaying for several years until the couple decided to try and convert it into a boutique hotel.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

I taught myself how to convert fractions into decimal points by going online.

From "Wonder" by R. J. Palacio

Related Words

• apply
• download
• modify
• remodel
• reorganize
• switch
• transform
• translate
• turn