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

• 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

At the University of Utah, the Transformative Intersectional Collective created workshops on “transgender and queer of color critique” and “environmental anti-racism,” supported by a half-million-dollar Mellon grant.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

Established in 2009, the Transformative Research Award funds groundbreaking interdisciplinary projects that push beyond traditional scientific boundaries.

From Science Daily • Oct. 25, 2025

Campbell said she began implementing lessons from her Transformative Coaching and Leadership graduate program.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2025

"This time is of year is fraught with a lot of complex emotions," says Chris Reina, founder and executive director of the Institute for Transformative Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University.

From Salon • Nov. 22, 2023

Dealing with irrational people takes focus, intelligence, and extreme discipline—you have to maintain a sense of true emotional stasis—as outlined in one of my favorite books, Transformative Power, by Pearce Tidwell.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Related Words

• life-changing
• transformational