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

Keep scrolling for more

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

Striker Iago Aspas, who had been nursing injuries and hadn’t started since December, scored the game winner by converting an 86th-minute penalty kick. — Tales Azzoni, The Seattle Times, "Back with Barcelona, Messi thrives in latest Liga win," 30 Mar. 2019 The Dalí aficionado who opened the museum two years ago is local real estate mogul Dmitry Piterman, who converted what was formerly a local maritime museum whose model boats were no longer cutting it, customer-wise. — Steve Rubenstein, SFChronicle.com, "Legal clock ticking for Dalí museum in Monterey," 10 July 2018 The Christina O's luxurious offerings include a main suite, 17 guest cabins with ensuite showers, a dining room for up to 40 guests, a swimming pool that converts to a dance floor, and more. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Jackie and Aristotle Onassis's Former Yacht Is Available to Rent," 22 Mar. 2019 The problem is lots of for-profits are now converting to fake nonprofits, so the nonprofit designation alone is not an assurance. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "How to Become a Skilled Tradesperson," 13 Mar. 2019 The Tigers’ offense famously crossed midfield into Alabama territory only once, and Alabama converted five field goals and scored a late touchdown to secure the victory. — Ross Dellenger, SI.com, "Did the LSU-Alabama Rematch Really Kill the BCS?," 10 July 2018 The Phillies are set at first base with Carlos Santana (and converted 1B Rhys Hoskins in the outfield), but triple-A Lehigh Valley’s Joey Meneses seems ready for a promotion, our Ben Pope writes. — Bob Brookover, Philly.com, "Phillies prospect Enyel De Los Santos making his MLB debut | Extra Innings," 10 July 2018 The lawsuit's allegations include fraud and claims that Jaques converted, commingled and exercised personal dominion over funds that Paradigm Entities was bound to hold in trust for the plaintiffs and their tenants. — Ruth Brown, idahostatesman, "Lawsuit accuses Meridian-based property management LLC of embezzling up to $1 million," 27 June 2018 The company owns at least one other local building also leased by Southwest Key, a former hospital converted into a detention center for immigrant children in 2013, according to the Brownsville Herald. — Time, "Nonprofit to Be Paid $458 Million by Trump Administration to Detain Migrant Children," 19 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

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 Four of the third downs Seattle didn’t convert were of 9 yards or more. — Bob Condotta, The Seattle Times, "What to watch for when the Seahawks play the Chicago Bears on Monday night," 16 Sep. 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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about convert

Dictionary Entries near convert

Statistics for convert

Last Updated

15 Apr 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for convert

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

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

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

Keep scrolling for more