convert

verb

con·vert | \ kən-ˈvərt

converted; converting; converts

Definition of convert

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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.

2a : 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

5a : 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

noun

con·vert | \ ˈkän-ˌvərt

Definition of convert (Entry 2 of 2)

: one that is converted a convert to Christianity

Other Words from convert Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about convert

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Synonyms for convert

Synonyms: Verb

proselyte, proselytize

Synonyms: Noun

neophyte, proselyte

Choose the Right Synonym for convert

Verb

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

The couple obliged by setting up a big-screen TV inside the barn, where the tack room had been converted into a bourbon bar with 10 different bottles on offer. — Meredith Heuer, Harper's BAZAAR, "Katie Ermilio & Tylee Abbott's Wedding Turned Pennsylvania into the English Countryside—on a Horse Farm," 29 Apr. 2019 When the characteristic energy of an isotope hits that crystal, it is absorbed and re-emitted as light particles, which are converted into an electrical signal that the D3S reads. — Dan Dubno, Popular Mechanics, "This Tiny Device Can Detect Nuclear Armageddon," 25 Apr. 2019 Instead, the cramped quarters, where a small office was converted into a bedroom, became a permanent address. — Joshua Goodman, The Seattle Times, "After 7 long years, Assange’s capture happened quickly," 16 Apr. 2019 There is still a huge, unfinished space that could be converted into a garage, workshop, or even additional living space. — Maggie Burch, House Beautiful, "This Former Power Plant Is Hiding An Impeccable Modern Home," 11 Dec. 2018 The extravagant building was once the home of Maharaja Gaj Singh II, and has since been converted into a luxury resort. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas Are Married—Here's Everything We Know About the Wedding," 4 Dec. 2018 Many of the caravan members have been put up in a sports complex in Tijuana that’s been converted into a temporary shelter. — Dara Lind, Vox, "How a march at the US-Mexico border descended into tear gas and chaos," 26 Nov. 2018 Puebla City, Puebla Jhon and Chely sit at a plastic table in what had been the weight room of a community gym called Polideportivo Xonaca; the workout space has been converted into a clinic. — Liliana Frankel, Teen Vogue, "A Day in the Life of the Migrant Caravan," 16 Nov. 2018 Completed in 1933 in Paimio, southwest Finland, the modernist building operated as a treatment center for tuberculosis until the 1960s, when it was converted into a general hospital. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "Alvar Aalto’s iconic sanatorium under threat as new buyer sought," 27 Sep. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Morocco also has up to 6,000 homegrown converts to Christianity who are obliged to practice their faith privately because Morocco prohibits Muslim conversions. — Amira El Masaiti, The Seattle Times, "Pope tells Moroccans “we are brothers and sisters”," 31 Mar. 2019 How could a tastemaker who preached the gospel of modernism become a convert to the baubles and trimmings of postmodernism? — Mary Ann Gwinn, The Seattle Times, "A closer look at three National Book Critics Circle finalists," 20 Feb. 2019 Chicago's Ravenswood Books received a month's worth of donations in a week, even offering to pick up 50 boxes of used books from a Kondo convert. — Sara Rodrigues, House Beautiful, "Thrift Stores And Flea Markets Are Seeing An Influx Due To Marie Kondo," 15 Jan. 2019 In the novel, Santos examines his lack of faith; to write about Judaism with authority, Sarvas took an 18-week introduction to Judaism course at the American Jewish University primarily aimed at prospective converts. — Agatha French, latimes.com, "Mark Sarvas' new 'Memento Park,' about looted art, was 'the book I was waiting to write'," 30 Mar. 2018 The read/write system of the memory can deal with both and convert between the two. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Rough-and-ready quantum memory may link disparate quantum systems," 9 Nov. 2018 The efforts by Elazari and Bugcrowd have already won new converts. — Sean Gallagher, Ars Technica, "New open source effort: Legal code to make reporting security bugs safer," 2 Aug. 2018 As with many converts, Deetz is focused on preparing dishes the way they are served in Vietnam. — Michael Bauer, San Francisco Chronicle, "The Temple Club: Vietnamese food you can’t get anywhere else," 2 Feb. 2018 Even outside his leadership of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah, Mr. Oepriarto was good at gaining converts. — New York Times, "At the Heart of Indonesia Terror Attacks, a Well-Liked Family," 18 May 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.

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Last Updated

13 May 2019

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Time Traveler for convert

The first known use of convert was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for convert

convert

verb

English Language Learners Definition of convert

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

English Language Learners Definition of convert (Entry 2 of 2)

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

See the full definition for convert in the English Language Learners Dictionary

convert

verb

con·vert | \ kən-ˈvərt

converted; converting

Kids Definition of convert

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

Kids Definition of convert (Entry 2 of 2)

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

convert

transitive verb

con·vert | \ kən-ˈvərt

Legal Definition of convert

1a : 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

Other Words from convert

converter noun

convertible \ kən-ˈvər-tə-bəl

\ adjective

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