transpose

verb

trans·pose | \ tran(t)s-ˈpōz

transposed; transposing

Definition of transpose

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

transpose

noun

trans·pose | \ ˈtran(t)s-ˌpōz

Definition of transpose (Entry 2 of 2)

: a matrix formed from another matrix by interchanging the rows and columns

Other Words from transpose Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about transpose

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Choose the Right Synonym for transpose

Verb

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

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.

Examples of transpose in a Sentence

Verb

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: Verb

Then, the program automatically transposes the image onto an actor’s face from a selection of video clips in just a few seconds. — Chris Paul, The Denver Post, "Viral Chinese app replaces your face with Leonardo DiCaprio’s in “deepfake” videos," 8 Sep. 2019 Thus began a 20-year effort to bring Lethem’s book to the big screen thanks in part to Norton’s desire, as both writer and director on the project, to transpose the novel from 1990s era New York to the 1950s. — Carolyn Giardina, The Hollywood Reporter, "Edward Norton on 'Motherless Brooklyn's 20-Year Journey to Big Screen," 8 Sep. 2019 The issues seem to have transposed over to Maurizio Sarri, with reports in Italy frequently claiming Cancelo is behind Mattia De Sciglio on the depth chart. — SI.com, "Joao Cancelo 'Completes' £32m-Plus-Danilo Move to Manchester City With Juventus," 4 Aug. 2019 Raftelis Manager Andrea Boehling said the error involved inadvertently transposing numbers during the noticing. — Julie Gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Directors to consider revising untreated water rate increases," 8 Aug. 2019 Correction: Because of a reporting error, a critic’s pick for Tanglewood performances in the Sunday Arts section mistakenly transposed the dates for upcoming programs conducted by Dima Slobodeniouk and Asher Fisch. — BostonGlobe.com, "For the record," 30 July 2019 And, because sheet music of Chicago’s music and lyrics was not available in Russia, Vorobyev had to learn and transpose all the songs by ear, then write out charts for his group’s other members. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Russia’s top Chicago tribute band, Leonid & Friends, back in the USA," 7 Aug. 2019 If season one of Big Little Lies was a modern-day noir, then the second season is The Day After Tomorrow transposed onto the Pacific Coast Highway. — Rachel Syme, The New Republic, "Big Little Lies Gets Tough," 28 June 2019 Such paranoid fantasies may be familiar to heavy consumers of YouTube and Reddit, but watching them transposed on to the structures of governance is a novelty. — Corey Pein, The New Republic, "Antifa Is Arming Itself Against a Trump Crackdown," 2 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Visual-effects studios in Hollywood transpose actors’ faces onto the bodies of fitter, more disposable stunt doubles. — The Economist, "A faked video of Donald Trump points to a worrying future," 24 May 2018

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

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More Definitions for transpose

transpose

verb

English Language Learners Definition of transpose

: to change the position or order of (two things)

: to change (something) by giving it a different form, using it in a different place or situation, etc.

music : to write or perform (a piece of music) in a different key

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

transpose

verb

trans·pose | \ trans-ˈpōz

transposed; transposing

transpose

Definition of transpose

Other Words from transpose

Synonyms for transpose

Choose the Right Synonym for transpose

Did You Know?

Examples of transpose in a Sentence

First Known Use of transpose

History and Etymology for transpose

English Language Learners Definition of transpose

transpose

Definition of transpose

Other Words from transpose

Synonyms for transpose

Choose the Right Synonym for transpose

Did You Know?

Examples of transpose in a Sentence

First Known Use of transpose

History and Etymology for transpose

English Language Learners Definition of transpose

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