convert

1 of 2

verb

con·​vert kən-ˈvərt 

converted; converting; converts

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

convert

2 of 2

noun

con·​vert ˈkän-ˌvərt 

: one that is converted

a convert to Christianity

Synonyms

Verb

• proselyte
• proselytize

Noun

• neophyte
• proselyte

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of convert in a Sentence

Verb

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.

Noun

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 on the Web

Verb

Roughly eight times a day, a truckload of sewage sludge, processed in part from human waste, is dropped at the site and converted to compost. —Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2023

The three most common styles of hiking pants for men include: Convertible pants: Full-length pants designed to be zipped off above the knee, converting into a pair of shorts. —Meg Carney, Field & Stream, 27 Sep. 2023

Sliding walls allow living spaces to be converted across the yacht. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2023

San Francisco is considering a proposal to convert its downtown Westfield Centre Mall, formerly home to Nordstrom and other retailers, into a soccer stadium. —John Rennie Short, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2023

Someone who has too much income to contribute to a Roth IRA directly can contribute after-tax earnings to a traditional IRA, then convert it to a Roth. —Sarah Brodsky, wsj.com, 24 Sep. 2023

Arkansas overcame a 5-yard sack by converting third and 4 on Tyrone Broden's 7-yard catch. —Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2023

The Ducks converted a first down, scoring their third touchdown of the day later in the drive. —Ryan Morik, Fox News, 23 Sep. 2023

Oil is customarily priced in dollars, and converting most currencies to dollars is costly. —Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2023

Noun

But Keith, with his flaky, shiny-eyed, so-out-there-it’s-in social-media presence, wins a handful of converts over to his mania. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2023

Investors sometimes gradually buy up 20 or 30 apartments in a single building — or snag them when the building opens or converts. —Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 8 Sep. 2023

There, the fat converts to ketones and releases back into the bloodstream. —Cynthia Sass, Mph, Rd, Health, 5 Sep. 2023

Lori Beer, the global chief information officer of JPMorgan Chase, talks about the latest artificial intelligence with the enthusiasm of a convert. —Steve Lohr, New York Times, 29 Aug. 2023

On the other hand, no new congregations have been created in Ireland over that period, which suggests poor retention of new converts and other members. —The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 July 2023

The documentary, which runs barely over an hour, feels a little stunt-like and probably won’t earn many new converts. —Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2023

But no matter the fanaticism of the adherents, there is a ceiling on converts willing to listen to 15-minute songs about the shadows of the moon. —Jeff Weiss, Spin, 21 Aug. 2023

Beta-carotene converts into vitamin A and plays a role in growth and healthy vision. —Stephanie Karpinske, Parents, 17 Aug. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1561, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

convert

1 of 2 verb

con·​vert kən-ˈvərt 

1

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

2

a

: to change from one substance, form, use, or unit to another

convert pounds to grams

b

: to exchange for something equal in value

convert francs into dollars

converter noun

convert

2 of 2 noun

con·​vert ˈkän-ˌvərt 

: a person who has been converted

Legal Definition

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

kən-ˈvər-tə-bəl 

adjective