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

Chwalinska had enjoyed a transformative few weeks in Paris regardless of Saturday's result.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

Marketing representatives and engineers came to “razzle and dazzle” him, he said, pitching something big and transformative that would bring significant tax revenue to the county.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026

Composers immediately sensed that something transformative had happened; all of a sudden their harmony started obeying laws of attraction and repulsion, whether they liked it or not.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

• life-changing
• transformational