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• transfiguration
  transfiguration

  noun

  the act of transfiguring.
• Transfiguration
  Transfiguration

  noun

  New Testament the change in the appearance of Christ that took place before three disciples (Matthew 17:1–9)

transfiguration

American  

[trans-fig-yuh-rey-shuhn, trans-fig-] / ˌtræns fɪg jəˈreɪ ʃən, trænsˌfɪg- /

noun

1. the act of transfiguring.

2. the state of being transfigured.

3. (initial capital letter) the supernatural and glorified change in the appearance of Jesus on the mountain. Matthew 17:1–9.

4. (initial capital letter) the church festival commemorating this, observed on August 6.

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Transfiguration ¹ British  

/ ˌtrænsfɪɡjʊˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. New Testament the change in the appearance of Christ that took place before three disciples (Matthew 17:1–9)

2. the Church festival held in commemoration of this on Aug 6

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transfiguration ² British  

/ ˌtrænsfɪɡjʊˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of transfiguring or the state of being transfigured

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Etymology

Origin of transfiguration

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English Transfiguracion, from Latin trānsfigūrātiōn- (stem of trānsfigūrātiō ) “change of shape”; see origin at transfigure, -ation

Explanation

If your teenage cousin was only seven the last time you saw her, you might describe her as having undergone a transfiguration, or an enormous physical change. When a person's appearance changes dramatically, that's one kind of transfiguration. A magician changing a dove into a bouquet of flowers also performs a transfiguration. The word shows up frequently in religious writing as well, describing a more spiritual kind of change. In fact, the origin of transfiguration is mostly religious. While the Latin root, transfigurare, means "change the shape of," transfiguration was first used in English to mean "the change in appearance of Christ."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

transfiguration Transfiguration

Already, they have been plunged into the sea of Galilee watching as Jesus walked on water and witnessed his transfiguration on a mountain top.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 25, 2025

In the empty streets of Metamorfosi, which in Greek means transfiguration, piles of residents' belongings, framed paintings, furniture, blankets and carpets, are the only spot of colour in the mud.

From Reuters ● Sep. 27, 2023

But by the end of the film, because of her brief transfiguration, we share something crucial with her.

From Salon ● Nov. 29, 2022

This is further exhibited in the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament, said Miles, through the account Jesus’ transfiguration.

From Fox News ● Mar. 13, 2022

At the newel post Janie whirled around and for the space of a thought she was lit up like a transfiguration.

From "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston

Egypt began its state-sponsored Great Transfiguration Project for tourists in 2021.

From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2025

The cemetery and buildings including the Church of the Transfiguration of Sotiros, a religious site visited by thousands of pilgrims each year, have suffered heavy damage.

From Reuters ● Sep. 27, 2023

His parents are academics who now teach at a conservative Catholic college not unlike Transfiguration.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2023

At Transfiguration Cathedral, Father Oleksii was trying to make sense of the trauma, and praying that his city did not become another Ukrainian ruin.

From New York Times ● Jul. 25, 2023

When he tried to explain this, Hermione said, “That’s just the exams. I woke up last night and was halfway through my Transfiguration notes before I remembered we’d done that one.”

From "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling