transform

[ verb trans-fawrm; noun trans-fawrm ]

See synonyms for: transform transformed transforming transforms on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to change in form, appearance, or structure; metamorphose.
to change in condition, nature, or character; convert.

to change into another substance; transmute.
Electricity.
- to increase or decrease (the voltage and current characteristics of an alternating-current circuit), as by means of a transformer.
- to decrease (the voltage and current characteristics of a direct-current circuit), as by means of a transformer.
Mathematics. to change the form of (a figure, expression, etc.) without in general changing the value.
Physics. to change into another form of energy.

verb (used without object)

to undergo a change in form, appearance, or character; become transformed.

noun

Mathematics.
- a mathematical quantity obtained from a given quantity by an algebraic, geometric, or functional transformation.
- the transformation itself.
the result of a transformation.

a transformation.
Logic. transformation (def. 5).
Linguistics. a structure derived by a transformation.

Origin of transform

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English transformen, from Latin trānsfōrmāre “to change in shape”; see trans-, form

synonym study For transform

1. 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 words for transform

1	transfigure

See synonyms for transform on Thesaurus.com

Other words from transform

trans·form·a·ble, adjective
trans·form·a·tive, adjective
in·ter·trans·form·a·ble, adjective
non·trans·form·ing, adjective
re·trans·form, verb (used with object)
self-trans·formed, adjective
un·trans·form·a·ble, adjective
un·trans·formed, adjective
un·trans·form·ing, adjective

Words Nearby transform

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use transform in a sentence

Then, we can decode its main frequencies using the mathematical wizardry of the Fourier transform.
Scientists Have Traced Earth’s Path Through the Galaxy via Tiny Crystals Found in the Crust | Chris Kirkland | August 25, 2022 | Singularity Hub
The number of people messing with Texas will mean that Texas will transform into a place like other places.
Will Texas Stay Texan? | David Fontana | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
And of those who transform themselves into masters and believe themselves superior to others, rather than at their service.
Pope Francis Denounces the Vatican Elite’s 'Spiritual Alzheimer’s' | Barbie Latza Nadeau | December 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The end of the embargo and resumption of diplomatic relations with Cuba could transform Major League Baseball.
Is Major League Baseball Ready For Cuba’s Players? | Ben Jacobs | December 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Phil Hoffman had to transform himself into Truman Capote while Julia Roberts won for being brassy in Erin Brockovich.
Exclusive: Aaron Sorkin Thinks Male Film Roles Have Bigger ‘Degree of Difficulty’ Than Female Ones | William Boot | December 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

The “stretched” cabins in new 737s and A320s transform their economics.
Flying Coach Is the New Hell: How Airlines Engineer You Out of Room | Clive Irving | November 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
He made me think of an old time magician more than anything, and I felt that with a touch of his wand he could transform us all.
Music-Study in Germany | Amy Fay
I begin reading it through: to diminish popular respect for government servants and to transform them.
Marguerite | Anatole France
I'll dream over it tonight, so in the morning I shall have made up my79 mind how to transform you.
The Tin Woodman of Oz | L. Frank Baum
Nothing I transform ever gets back to its former shape again, so these fish-balls can never more be pebbles.
The Tin Woodman of Oz | L. Frank Baum
She could kill with a glance, turn the course of rivers, and transform herself into any form at will.
The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Volume 5 | Hubert Howe Bancroft

British Dictionary definitions for transform

transform

verb(trænsˈfɔːm)

to alter or be altered radically in form, function, etc
(tr) to convert (one form of energy) to another form

(tr) maths to change the form of (an equation, expression, etc) by a mathematical transformation
(tr) to increase or decrease (an alternating current or voltage) using a transformer

noun(ˈtrænsˌfɔːm)

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

Origin of transform

C14: from Latin transformāre, from trans- + formāre to form

Derived forms of transform

transformable, adjective
transformative, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Browse