transformative

American  

[trans-fawr-muh-tiv] / trænsˈfɔr mə tɪv /

adjective

1. causing a radical and typically positive change in outlook, character, form, or condition: Voting is a culturally and socially transformative action.

   It's difficult to put into words how transformative and enriching it is to study abroad.

   Voting is a culturally and socially transformative action.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• untransformative
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of transformative

First recorded in 1660–70; from Medieval Latin transformātīvus, equivalent to Latin transformāt-, stem of transformāre, + -īvus -ive ( def. ); see transform ( def. )

Example Sentences

“There’s certainly enthusiasm around what is transformative technology,” said Tony Ghee, head of equity investments in the chief investment office of Bank of America, in a phone interview Tuesday.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

Finally, it is important to remember that transformative technologies have always taken longer to bring about the kind of deep changes their champions promised.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

But White, who died in 2016, wanted to bring his transformative art to all people.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026

But the idea is to prevent death, engage clients and start a relationship that might lead to transformative care.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

In two transformative decades between 1920 and 1940, the first two of these questions—i.e., variation and evolution—would be solved by unique alliances between geneticists, anatomists, cell biologists, statisticians, and mathematicians.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Related Words

• life-changing
• transformational