transform

[ verb trans-fawrm; noun 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 ( def 5 ).
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 ^–1AX for some appropriate X

Derived Forms

• transˈformable, adjective
• transˈformative, adjective

Other Words From

• 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

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

“Our emotions were transformed into a scientific mobilization.”

From Science Magazine

Glide bombs and drones have transformed the conflict, as each side races to innovate.

From BBC

But at the extremely low temperatures that prevail at these high altitudes, the rainforest molecules are transformed into compounds different from those near the ground.

From Science Daily

In the years that followed, the Industry didn’t just reshape the city’s opera scene, it radically transformed it.

From Los Angeles Times

Le Saux embraced the low-light sensitivity of a digital camera and light sources to illuminate the looming intensity of the moment — one that sees George transform from a scared boy into a life-saving hero.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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