transform

verb trans·form \ tran(t)s-ˈfȯrm \

|Updated on: 16 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: transform in a Sentence

Definition of transform

transformed; transforming; transforms

transitive verb

1 a : to change in composition or structure

b : to change the outward form or appearance of

c : to change in character or condition : convert

2 : to subject to mathematical transformation

3 : to cause (a cell) to undergo genetic transformation

intransitive verb

: to become transformed : change

—

transformable

play \tran(t)s-ˈfȯr-mə-bəl\ adjective

—

transformative

play \tran(t)s-ˈfȯr-mə-tiv\ adjective

See transform defined for English-language learners

See transform defined for kids

Examples of transform in a Sentence

A little creativity can transform an ordinary meal into a special event.
The old factory has been transformed into an art gallery.

Recent Examples of transform from the Web

The shift could transform lawyers’ work and slash costs for clients.

— The Economist, "Law firms climb aboard the AI wagon," 12 July 2018
In a person’s lungs, the spores can transform into yeast and spread through the bloodstream to other body parts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

— sarah klein, Health.com, "The Rescued Thai Soccer Team Is Being Monitored For 'Cave Disease' and Other Health Concerns," 10 July 2018
Her images of the last days of a Kodak factory in Chalon-sur-Saône, France, transform the process of manufacturing motion-picture film into a magical and aesthetically pleasing experience.

— peter keough, BostonGlobe.com, "On the mat, on film, on his way, on the road," 5 July 2018
On the final day of the event, the sweet shop will transform its outdoor patio into a baby goat petting zoo designed for all ages.

— carolina gusman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego restaurants burst 4th with Independence Day specials," 28 June 2018
By contrast, replacing Kennedy with a Gorsuch clone could transform American jurisprudence on matters near and dear to Democratic voters.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "The Fate of Abortion Rights in America May Now Lie With These Senators," 27 June 2018
Part of the Catonsville branch of the Baltimore County Public Library will transform into a mini-comic and superhero convention on Saturday, June 30.

— cody boteler, baltimoresun.com, "Catonsville library to host third annual Comic Con," 21 June 2018
And the event won't transform Russia's relations with the world overnight.

— angela charlton, The Christian Science Monitor, "World Cup host Russia defies Soviet-era, hostile image with smiles," 20 June 2018
Red heads will potentially transform to strawberry blondes.

— kristi kellogg, Teen Vogue, "How To Lighten Hair Naturally: 7 Tips for Lighter Hair," 19 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of transform

Middle English, from Middle French transformer, from Latin transformare, from trans- + formare to form, from forma form

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

transform Synonyms

Synonyms

convert, make over, metamorphose, transfigure, transmute;

Related Words

adjust, alter, modify, recast;

redefine, redesign, redo, reengineer, refashion, regenerate, remake, remodel, revamp, revise, rework, vary;

deform, disfigure, distort, mutate, transmogrify;

displace, replace, substitute, supplant;

Synonym Discussion of transform

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

transform

noun trans·form \ ˈtran(t)s-ˌfȯrm \

Definition of transform

1 : a mathematical element obtained from another by transformation

2 : transformation 3a(1)

3 : a linguistic structure (such as a sentence) produced by means of a transformation

"the duckling is killed by the farmer" is a transform of "the farmer kills the duckling"

Recent Examples of transform from the Web

But surprisingly little research investigates how feeling hungry transforms into feeling hangry.

— jennifer maccormack, Washington Post, "If you’ve ever been hangry, this is what your body may be telling you," 9 July 2018
But surprisingly little research investigates how feeling hungry transforms into feeling hangry.

— jennifer maccormack, Washington Post, "If you’ve ever been hangry, this is what your body may be telling you," 9 July 2018
But surprisingly little research investigates how feeling hungry transforms into feeling hangry.

— jennifer maccormack, Washington Post, "If you’ve ever been hangry, this is what your body may be telling you," 9 July 2018
Ramsey, whose tenure as president began in 2002, is credited with helping transform U of L into a major research university.

— morgan watkins, The Courier-Journal, "'Here for the students': Neeli Bendapudi's first day as president," 15 May 2018
But surprisingly little research investigates how feeling hungry transforms into feeling hangry.

— jennifer maccormack, CNN, "When you go from hungry to 'hangry'," 14 June 2018
Soh has also seen his fast-food business transform in the years since Kim took over ruling the country in 2011 after his father, Kim Jong Il, died.

— thomas maresca, USA TODAY, "They're lovin' it: Meet the man who introduced the hamburger to North Korea," 11 June 2018
Those blocks of pixels, in turn, are represented by a sequence of transform coefficients.

— timothy b. lee, Ars Technica, "Inventor says Google is patenting work he put in the public domain," 10 June 2018
Whey left from making cheese transforms into sauce for potatoes, while bread crusts become miso soup, McMaster said.

— umberto bacchi, The Christian Science Monitor, "British chefs cook up food waste solutions," 22 May 2018

First Known Use of transform

1853

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

TRANSFORM Defined for English Language Learners

transform

verb

Definition of transform for English Language Learners

: to change (something) completely and usually in a good way

TRANSFORM Defined for Kids

transform

verb trans·form \ trans-ˈfȯrm \

Definition of transform for Students

transformed; transforming

: to change completely

The pumpkin had been transformed into a gleaming coach …
—Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchanted

Medical Dictionary

transform

transitive verb trans·form \ tran(t)s-ˈfȯ(ə)rm \

medical Definition of transform

: to cause to change: as

a : to change (a current) in potential (as from high voltage to low) or in type (as from alternating to direct)

b : to cause (a cell) to undergo genetic transformation

intransitive verb

: to become transformed

Learn More about transform

See words that rhyme with transform Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for transform Spanish Central: Translation of transform Nglish: Translation of transform for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of transform for Arabic speakers

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transform

Definition of transform

transformable

transformative

Examples of transform in a Sentence

Recent Examples of transform from the Web

Origin and Etymology of transform

transform Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of transform

transform

Definition of transform

Recent Examples of transform from the Web

First Known Use of transform

TRANSFORM Defined for English Language Learners

transform

Definition of transform for English Language Learners

TRANSFORM Defined for Kids

transform

Definition of transform for Students

Medical Dictionary

transform

medical Definition of transform

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