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transform

verb
trans·​form | \ tran(t)s-ˈfȯrm How to pronounce transform (audio) \
transformed; transforming; transforms

Definition of transform

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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

transform

noun
trans·​form | \ ˈtran(t)s-ˌfȯrm How to pronounce transform (audio) \

Definition of transform (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a mathematical element obtained from another by transformation
2 : transformation sense 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"
Other Words from transform Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about transform

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Other Words from transform

Verb

transformable \ tran(t)s-​ˈfȯr-​mə-​bəl How to pronounce transformable (audio) \ adjective
transformative \ tran(t)s-​ˈfȯr-​mə-​tiv How to pronounce transformative (audio) \ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for transform

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 transform in a Sentence

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

 Will Arians transform the team in his first season and turn the Bucs into a playoff contender? — Mitch Goldich, SI.com, "Which Week 17 Game Will Be Flexed to Sunday Night Football This Season?," 3 Sep. 2019 Like no one else, Lewis could transform dry religious dogma into something plausible and appealing. — Joseph Loconte, National Review, "C. S. Lewis: Oxford Don vs. the Devil," 31 Aug. 2019 Beerfish will transform Labor Day Monday into Oyster Monday with offerings like $1 oysters, $4 oyster tacos and $10 oysters Rockefeller. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "The Dish: 2019 guide to Labor Day weekend food and drink deals in San Diego County," 29 Aug. 2019 The entire set can roll up into a conveniently sized bag that can—and will—transform any sofa into a perfect place to sleep for the night. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "Burrow's Sleep Kit Will Turn Your Sofa Into The Comfiest Bed Ever," 20 Aug. 2019 That experience will really transform their lives forever. — Dominique Fluker, Essence, "How This Former Engineer Left Her Dream Job To Bring Girls Of Color To Tech," 15 Aug. 2019 These inexpensive items can easily transform a room: Lighting. — Sonja Haller, USA TODAY, "Jill Martin is your guide to dorm room awesomeness: 'You're making this your little house'," 13 Aug. 2019 With fire, Iona can transform a planet into a ball of flame and use the updraft to reach far away portions of a level. — Matthew Gault, Time, "One of the Best Indie Video Games of 2015 Is Back As a Deluxe Edition," 12 Aug. 2019 Will Cameron Scarlett, Dorian Maddox or Trevor Speights transform from role player into star? — Jon Wilner, The Denver Post, "Pac-12 football training camp preview: North Division," 1 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 This easy weeknight meal transforms leftover shredded chicken into a spicy meal in about 15 minutes. — ExpressNews.com, "Tuesday Recipe: Chicken Tinga Tacos," 28 Aug. 2019 Spruill says the aquarium can’t stay silent as the pace of global warming transforms oceans. — Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, "New England Aquarium takes a more active role in climate-change fight," 8 July 2019 Chocolate and pumpkin transform ice cream sandwiches from a summertime sweet to a Halloween (trick or) treat! — The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Chocolate and Pumpkin Ice Cream Sandwiches," 1 Aug. 2019 The hoisin-mint marinade recipe that follows transforms fast-cooking pork tenderloin and chicken pieces. — Jeanmarie Brownson, Twin Cities, "Refresh your summer cooking with versatile mint for grilled meats, salads and tea," 18 July 2019 Wavelet transforms are now used everywhere from JPEG 2000 compression to the processing of the gravitational-wave signals detected by LIGO from the collisions of black holes. — Quanta Magazine, "Yves Meyer, Wavelet Expert, Wins Abel Prize," 21 Mar. 2017 Your high energy and positive attitude transform nearly any situation. — BostonGlobe.com, "Horoscope," 10 June 2019 The 16-year old transforms into a superhero for his latest starring role as Billy Batson in the DC Extended Universe film Shazam! — Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, "Everything You Need to Know About "Shazam!" Star Asher Angel," 15 Apr. 2019 To put it in perspective, a typical Fourier transform of a million pixel image will take about six million operations. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "A few Wi-Fi transmitters and your house becomes a coprocessor," 30 Apr. 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.

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First Known Use of transform

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for transform

Verb

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

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More Definitions for transform

transform

verb
How to pronounce transform (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of transform

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

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

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