transform
Americanverb (used with object)
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to change in form, appearance, or structure; metamorphose.
- Synonyms:
- transfigure
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to change in condition, nature, or character; convert.
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to change into another substance; transmute.
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Electricity.
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to increase or decrease (the voltage and current characteristics of an alternating-current circuit), as by means of a transformer.
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to decrease (the voltage and current characteristics of a direct-current circuit), as by means of a transformer.
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Mathematics. to change the form of (a figure, expression, etc.) without in general changing the value.
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Physics. to change into another form of energy.
verb (used without object)
noun
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Mathematics.
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a mathematical quantity obtained from a given quantity by an algebraic, geometric, or functional transformation.
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the transformation itself.
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the result of a transformation.
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a transformation.
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Logic. transformation.
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Linguistics. a structure derived by a transformation.
verb
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to alter or be altered radically in form, function, etc
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(tr) to convert (one form of energy) to another form
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(tr) maths to change the form of (an equation, expression, etc) by a mathematical transformation
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(tr) to increase or decrease (an alternating current or voltage) using a transformer
noun
Synonym Usage
Transform , convert mean to change one thing into another. Transform suggests changing from one form, appearance, structure, or type to another: to transform soybeans into oil and meal by pressure. Convert suggests so changing the characteristics as to change the use or purpose: to convert a barn into a house.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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retransformverb (used with object)
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untransformableadjective
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transformableadjective
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intertransformableadjective
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untransformedadjective
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nontransformingadjective
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transformativeadjective
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untransformingadjective
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self-transformedadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have transformedperfect
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has transformedperfect 3rd person singular
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is transformingprogressive 3rd person singular
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has been transformingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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are transformingprogressive
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have been transformingperfect progressive
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am transformingprogressive 1st person singular
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transformssingular 3rd person
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transformingparticiple
Past
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had transformedperfect
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were transformingprogressive plural
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was transformingprogressive singular
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had been transformingperfect progressive
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transformedsimple
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transformedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of transform
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English transformen, from Latin trānsfōrmāre “to change in shape”; see trans-, form
Explanation
When you transform you change from one thing or state to another. Picture a transformer that changes from a robot to a car. Simple, right? Caterpillars transform into butterflies, a forest is transformed by a snowfall, and a city can be transformed by a new government or a changing economy. Transform means a big change in appearance or in essence. The Internet has transformed how we live our day-to-day lives, but you wouldn't say that moving a throw pillow has transformed your living room.
Vocabulary lists containing transform
Shape Up: Form
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Starting Your New Life: Inspiring Words from Commencement Speeches
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Brown Girl Dreaming
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Dipke said he is committed to trying to transform an online phenomenon into a real-world movement.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026
Indeed, seasonings help transform an ordinary cheese or pepperoni pizza into something with more pizzazz.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026
The Sword of Protection gives her the power to transform into the hero She-Ra.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026
If successful, such systems could transform emergency oil spill response by converting ordinary fires into highly efficient cleanup tools.
From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026
I soar beneath the trees, transform into wind.
From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
