convert

verb con·vert \ kən-ˈvərt \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

transitive verb

1 a : to bring over from one belief, view, or party to another

They tried to convert us to their way of thinking.

b : to bring about a religious conversion in

The missionaries converted the native people to Christianity.

2 a : to alter the physical or chemical nature or properties of especially in manufacturing

converting starch into dextrose

b (1) : to change from one form or function to another

converted the attic into a bedroom

(2) : to alter for more effective utilization

convert a coal furnace to oil

(3) : to appropriate without right

c : to exchange for an equivalent

convert foreign currency into dollars

convert a bond

3 obsolete : turn

4 : to subject to logical conversion

5 a : to make a goal after receiving (a pass) from a teammate

b : to score on (an attempt, such as a try for point or free throw)

c : to make (a spare) in bowling

intransitive verb

1 : to undergo conversion

He converted to Islam.

2 : to succeed in an attempt for a point, field goal, or free throw

See convert defined for English-language learners

See convert defined for kids

Examples of convert in a Sentence

They tried for two points but could not convert.
They had many chances to score but they couldn't convert their opportunities.
They had chances to score but couldn't convert.

Recent Examples of convert from the Web

In four games against Golden State this season, Aldridge notched 26.8 points and 11 rebounds while converting 52.6 percent of his shots.

— jeff mcdonald, San Antonio Express-News, "For Spurs and Aldridge ‘last year is last year,’ but the task is the same," 13 Apr. 2018
The power play has been humming, converting at a 23.4 % clip since Feb. 15.

— alex prewitt, SI.com, "Despite Injuries and Penalties, Blue Jackets Prove Resilient in OT Win Against Capitals," 13 Apr. 2018
Trailing 3-0 heading into the second leg in Madrid, Juventus leveled proceedings on aggregate Wednesday before Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty deep in injury time to send the home side through 4-3 on aggregate.

— ravi ubha, CNN, "Real Madrid headlines Champions League semifinal draw," 13 Apr. 2018
No alien astronomer would doubt, looking at the amount of methane in Earth’s oxygen-rich air, that something odd and probably biological was going on there—for methane is rapidly converted by oxygen into carbon dioxide and water.

— The Economist, "Colonising the galaxy is hard. Why not send bacteria instead?," 12 Apr. 2018
These free interactive classes teach the steps for successfully converting high-water-use turf areas to WaterSmart landscapes during four classes over consecutive weeks.

— julie gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "WaterSmart landscaping class set for Saturday," 12 Apr. 2018
Roberts was arrested in 2016 and charged with converting more than $2,500 of public funds for personal use while serving as fire chief.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "2nd Blount County fire chief convicted of felony theft," 12 Apr. 2018
Then near the hour mark, Dzeko earned a penalty that Daniele De Rossi converted to set the stage for Manolas' late header.

— stephen sorace, Fox News, "Italian commentator’s goal call goes viral after Roma stuns Barcelona," 11 Apr. 2018
Kevin Schwartzhoff, director of Colerain Township Public Services, proposed converting one of those fields for use as a dog park in November.

— jennie key, Cincinnati.com, "Colerain's Heritage Park going to the dogs," 11 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'convert.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of convert

Middle English, from Anglo-French convertir, from Latin convertere to turn around, transform, convert, from com- + vertere to turn — more at worth

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

convert Synonyms

Synonyms

argue, bring, bring around, convince, gain, get, induce, move, persuade, prevail (on or upon), satisfy, talk (into), win (over);

Near Antonyms

deter, discourage, dissuade, unsell;

allure, beguile, lead on, lure, seduce, snow, tempt;

brainwash, overpersuade;

incline, influence, move, prompt, sell, sway;

reason (with);

Synonym Discussion of convert

transform, metamorphose, transmute, convert, transmogrify, transfigure mean to change a thing into a different thing. transform implies a major change in form, nature, or function.

- transformed a small company into a corporate giant

metamorphose suggests an abrupt or startling change induced by or as if by magic or a supernatural power.

- awkward girls metamorphosed into graceful ballerinas

transmute implies transforming into a higher element or thing.

- attempted to transmute lead into gold

convert implies a change fitting something for a new or different use or function.

- converted the study into a nursery

transmogrify suggests a strange or preposterous metamorphosis.

- a story in which a frog is transmogrified into a prince

transfigure implies a change that exalts or glorifies.

- joy transfigured her face

convert

noun con·vert \ ˈkän-ˌvərt \

: one that is converted

a convert to Christianity

See convert defined for English-language learners

Examples of convert in a Sentence

I didn't think I'd like paying my bills online, but now I'm a convert.
the converts were the most vocal and fervent worshippers in the church

Recent Examples of convert from the Web

It was suggested that a less aggressive approach might stand a better chance of winning converts.

— aaron gell, Vanities, "Can These Street-Art Pranksters Really Rally the Resistance?," 2 Apr. 2018
Roasting broccoli caramelizes its natural sugars and turns skeptics into converts.

— ashleigh spitza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Creative cooking makes vegetables more appealing," 13 Jan. 2018
That will be good news for some gym converts because many will soon suffer a second round of regret.

— The Economist, "The squeezed middleAs gyms hit peak season, the market does the splits," 11 Jan. 2018
The Patriots convert on fourth-and-10 with a 13-yard pass to Amendola to the Pats’ 22.

— carlos monarrez, Detroit Free Press, "Super Bowl LII: Philadelphia Eagles beat New England Patriots, 41-33," 4 Feb. 2018
In the past few months, a rather staggering change has occurred for one such convert and the fashion blog-o-sphere has responded with a mix of shock, naked deference, tongue-in-cheek appreciation and utter disregard.

— kerry pieri, Harper's BAZAAR, "What Allowing Kim Kardashian to Become a Style Icon Says About Us All," 19 Mar. 2014
The crux of the narrative is Summer’s relationship with her meteorologist mother Jade (Simone Missick), a recent convert to Islam, and the ways in which the parent’s newfound spirituality clashes with the child’s more secular/sexualized world.

— keith uhlich, The Hollywood Reporter, "‘Jinn’: Film Review | SXSW 2018," 16 Mar. 2018
On Sunday, for example, Benjamin Wittes, editor in chief of the indispensable Lawfare blog, proposed via Twitter that the entire world convert to Universal Time, or UTC.

— michael hiltzik, latimes.com, "In praise of the hated daylight saving time," 12 Mar. 2018
Currency that moves as freely as email and converts into local currency just as emails convert into words on a page: That makes sense to me.

— adam lashinsky, Fortune, "Ripple's Plan To Enhance, Not Kill, the Global Payments System," 7 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of convert

1561

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

convert Synonyms

Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms

Zen, antinomian, avatar, gnosticism, illuminati, ineffable, karma, koan, mantra

CONVERT Defined for English Language Learners

convert

verb

: to change (something) into a different form or so that it can be used in a different way
: to change to a different system, method, etc.
: to change from one form or use to another

convert

noun

: a person who has changed to a different religion, belief, political party, etc.

CONVERT Defined for Kids

convert

verb con·vert \ kən-ˈvərt \

converted; converting

1 : to change from one form to another

There are mechanical devices that convert air into beautiful sounds.
—E. B. White, The Trumpet of the Swan

2 : to change from one belief, religion, view, or party to another

3 : to exchange for an equivalent

I converted my dollars into euros.

convert

noun con·vert \ ˈkän-ˌvərt \

: a person who has been convinced to change to a different belief, religion, view, or party

Law Dictionary

convert

transitive verb con·vert \ kən-ˈvərt \

1 a : to change from one form or use to another

b : to exchange (property) for another especially of a different kind

if property…is compulsorily or involuntarily converted
—Internal Revenue Code

especially : to exercise the right of conversion by exchanging (preferred shares or bonds) for common stock

2 : to appropriate (another's property) by conversion

the bailee converted the goods to his own use

— see also embezzle

—

converter

noun

—

convertible

play \kən-ˈvər-tə-bəl\ adjective

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convert

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First Known Use of convert

convert Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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CONVERT Defined for English Language Learners

convert

convert

CONVERT Defined for Kids

convert

convert

Law Dictionary

convert

converter

convertible

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