transpose

verb

trans·​pose tran(t)s-ˈpōz 

transposed; transposing

transitive verb

1

: to change the relative place or normal order of : alter the sequence of

transpose letters to change the spelling

2

: to change in form or nature : transform

3

: to render into another language, style, or manner of expression : translate

4

: to transfer from one place or period to another : shift

5

: to write or perform (a musical composition) in a different key

6

: to bring (a term) from one side of an algebraic equation to the other with change of sign

transposable

tran(t)s-ˈpō-zə-bəl 

adjective

Did you know?

Though transposing two digits can be disastrous, transposing two letters in a word often doesn't matter too much. (You can prboalby raed tihs setnence witohut too mcuh toruble.) Transposing two words or sounds—as in "Can I sew you to another sheet?"—has been a good source of humor over the years. Doctors sometimes discover that something in the body—a nerve, an organ, etc.—has been transposed, or moved away from its proper place. For musicians, transposing means changing the key of a piece; if you can do this at a moment's notice, you've been well trained.

Synonyms of transpose

• transform
• convert

Choose the Right Synonym for transpose

reverse, transpose, invert mean to change to the opposite position.

reverse is the most general term and may imply change in order, side, direction, meaning.

reversed his position on the trade agreement

transpose implies a change in order or relative position of units often through exchange of position.

transposed the letters to form an anagram

invert applies chiefly to turning upside down or inside out.

the number 9 looks like an inverted 6

Examples of transpose in a Sentence

I must have accidentally transposed the numbers when I dialed his phone number.

a story originally set in London that has been transposed to Paris for this film

a melody transposed to the key of C

Recent Examples on the Web

Bulleh Shah transposes the framework of the lover and beloved to the self and the divine. —Arman Khan, Pitchfork, 1 June 2026

How could a plot so particular to a European context be transposed to ours? —Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026

The underdog framing, the embassy accounts running wild on X, the cultural-reference dunking on a bloated American president—these are Ukrainian moves, transposed to a different war. —Bobby Ghosh, Time, 27 May 2026

Books were produced collaboratively; writers sent off handwritten manuscripts to printers, who transposed them onto a printing press before setting them to paper. —Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French transposer, from Latin transponere (perfect indicative transposui) to change the position of, from trans- + ponere to put, place — more at position

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for transpose

• aloes
• arose
• bestows
• boroughs
• buboes
• cargoes
• cocos
• compos
• compose
• crossbows
• demos
• depose

Kids Definition

transpose

verb

trans·​pose

tran(t)s-ˈpōz

transposed; transposing

1

: to change the position, order, or sequence of

2

: to write or perform (a musical composition) in a different key

3

: to bring (a term) from one side of an algebraic equation to the other with change of sign

given the equation y = 3 - 2x, transpose the 2x to get y + 2x = 3

transposition

ˌtran(t)s-pə-ˈzish-ən

noun

Medical Definition

transpose

verb

trans·​pose tran(t)s-ˈpōz 

transposed; transposing

transitive verb

: to transfer from one place or period to another

specifically : to subject to genetic transposition

intransitive verb

: to undergo genetic transposition

transposable

-ˈpō-zə-bəl 

adjective